It was in Copenhagen in 1910, at the second International Conference of Working Women that an annual International Women’s Day was proposed by Clara Zetkin. The first IWD was held the following year on March 19, with the date shifting in 1913 to March 8, where it has remained.
While most Australian women had gained the vote by the time of the first International Women’s Day the early protests in Europe were held in an era in which most European women did not have the right to vote.
The first International Women’s Day held in Australia was in 1928, in Sydney. Women used the opportunity to call for equal pay and equal work, an 8 hour working day and paid leave.
This year, this theme for the International Women’s Day celebrations is ‘Supporting Women’s Economic Empowerment’. In contributing to the theme, the Perth chapter of UN Women Australia is assisting in fundraising for the Partners Improving Markets Project – a project which is is assisting to make market places in Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu safe for women traders. Currently the physical working conditions, as well as violence and harassment from market managers and resellers are putting the health of the women and their ability to earn incomes for their families at risk.
The UN Women in Australia Perth Chapter’s fundraising breakfast for IWD has been organised in collaboration with the eight peak groups representing the WA women’s service organisations and the Australian Public Service Commission. Featuring Sara Sally as keynote speaker, the breakfast will be held at The Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre and costs $60.
For more details of the breakfast:
www.internationalwomensday.org.au/iwd/Events/wa
For more details of the Partners in Markets Project:
www.internationalwomensday.org.au/iwd/About/Project
