Women’s History Month, Why March?

‘‘I alone cannot change the world but i can cast a stone across the water to create many ripple effect’’

Mother Theresa 

March is here and women are the epicentre of it all. The month of March is making a statement that it belongs to women of the world.

This day is important globally because it focuses on the way women have contributed to society and culture. The event additionally draws global awareness to the plight of women around the world juxtaposed with the other. As with most movements, the colour purple is used to commemorate this event showing solidarity by all who wear the colour.

Based on history, the month of March had defining events in relation to women’s welfare and security that took place in the month of March, therefore gaining its right to be chosen as the time to celebrate this gender.

Since then, March has since been a catalyst, sparking up reactions that women from around the globe have keyed into finding a place in society.

Such events are traced to 1908 when women marched out in number against the subjugation they faced in a society with no equality to its fibre. Following that, in 1911, the first International Women’s Day Celebration was observed by Switzerland, Denmark, Austria and Germany on the 19th of March.

Furthermore, the month has had a series of endorsements from organisations and presidents, like in February of 1980 when President Jimmy Carter declared March 8th as the women’s history week. Again in 1975, the UN started underwriting International Women’s Day of 8th March which spiked the awareness gaining global recognition.

The celebration was originally to have a historical focus on women for a week beginning from the 8th of March. Starting off as a week’s celebration, but in a manner women now rule the whole of March following the ever changing events and situations that shape the celebration as it is in the 21st century.

Since the defining march by women in 1908, women have not backed down from being heard and making a mark in the world at large. As a result significant contributions made by women go on to shape society.

This year’s celebration sheds light on #BreakingTheBias which simply calls for a bias and stereotype free environment.  Hence creating an all inclusive society that is rich in diversity and as well as being equitable. All of which ultimately leads to a gender equal society.