It is 99 years since the first International Women’s Day was held, and over the course of time, the event has changed shape and meaning. Depending where you are in the world on March 8th, IWD will be marked differently: some countries, such as those in northern Europe, hold an annual Public Holiday, while others barely notice its passing.
It all began in 1908 in the United States where small groups of women got together and organised protests, believing they deserved the right to vote and have a bigger say in matters of importance. On February 26, 1909, the first ever International Women’s Day began in America. Meanwhile, on the other side of the political world, Russian women were beginning to meet in the tea-rooms of factories, and started a mini-revolution that would spill out onto the streets in 1917.
Australia joined the emerging movement to demand women’s rights. While it has become something of a cliché (in our post-feminist world) to be a rampant feminist, or to wear the colours of the sisterhood (which were adopted because they signified the strong message: Give – green, Women – white, the Vote – violet).
In the past 20 years IWD has become more a celebration of women than a protest. While the status of women has improved significantly, and women have more equality in our contemporary society, there is still a long way to go before we can claim to be truly equal. There are still too few women in influential positions in business as well as in our police and defence services, and we are under-represented at most levels of government.
Although the status of women has improved and there is much to celebrate about being a woman in 2008, the situation isn’t as comfortable for indigenous women or those in lower socio-economic circumstances. We live in a world where we have grown complacent and disinterested in political movements. Yet, International Women’s Day is important world-wide. It gives us an excuse to reflect on those pioneering women who made our lives more comfortable and free and to consider the present status of women in Western Australia.
Events are being organised throughout WA for International Women’s Day on March 8th. For comprehensive information about what’s on, see www.community.wa.gov.au/DFC/Communities/Women/IWD_Events_2008.htm.
Ruth Wykes
