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Hello All,

I wish you and your family, friends, near and dear........

A very happy and honoring Women's Day wishes (08/03/09).

International Working Women's Day (IWD) is marked on March 8th every year. It is a major day of global celebration for the economic, political and social achievements of women. It is an occasion for men to express their concern, love and respect to the women around them and in their lives, in a way somewhat similar to Raksha Bandhan, Mother's Day and Valentine's Day.

Started as a political event, the holiday blended in the culture of many countries (primarily Russia and the countries of former Soviet bloc/a group of countries in special alliance). In some celebrations, the day lost its political flavour, and became simply an occasion for men to express their love to the women around them in a way somewhat similar to Mother's Day and St Valentine's Day mixed together. In others, however, the political and human rights theme as designated by the United Nations runs strong, and political and social awareness of the struggles of women worldwide are brought out and examined in a hopeful manner. It is observed by men giving the women in their lives - mothers, wives, girlfriends, daughters, colleagues, etc., flowers and small gifts. In some countries (such as Romania) it is also observed as an equivalent of Mother's Day, where children also give small presents to their mothers and grandmothers.

The first IWD was observed on 28th February 1909 in the United States following a declaration by the Socialist Party of America. Among other relevant historic events, it came to commemorate the 1911 ‘Triangle Shirtwaist Factory’ fire. The idea of having an international women's day was first put forward at the turn of the 20th century amid rapid world industrialization and economic expansion that led to protests over working conditions. By urban legend, women from clothing and textile factories staged one such protest on 8th March 1857 in New York City. The garment workers were protesting against very poor working conditions and low wages.

More protests followed on 8th March in subsequent years, most notably in 1908 when 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter hours, better pay and voting rights. In 1910 the first international women's conference was held in Copenhagen by the ‘Second International’ and an 'International Women's Day' was established, which was submitted by the important German Socialist Clara Zetkin. The Second International (1889–1916) was an organization of socialist and labour parties formed in Paris on July 14th, 1889. Among the Second International's most famous actions were its (1889) declaration of May 1st as International Workers' Day and its (1910) declaration of March 8th as International Women's Day. It initiated the international campaign for the 8-hour working day. Furthermore, on the eve of World War I, women across Europe held peace rallies on 8th March 1913.

Demonstrations marking International Women's Day in Russia proved to be the first stage of the Russian Revolution of 1917. Following the ‘October Revolution’, the Bolshevik feminist Alexandra Kollontai persuaded Lenin to make it an official holiday in the Soviet Union, and it was established, but was a working day until 1965. On May 8th, 1965 by the decree of the USSR Presidium of the Supreme Soviet, International Women's Day was declared as a non working day in the USSR "in commemoration of outstanding merits of the Soviet women in communistic construction, in the defense of their Motherland during the Great Patriotic War, their heroism and selflessness at the front and in rear, and also marking the big contribution of women to strengthening friendship between peoples and struggle for the peace".

After the collapse of the Soviet Union celebrations of IWD were abandoned in Armenia. Instead April 7th was introduced as state holiday of ‘Beauty and Motherhood’. However, people still kept celebrating IWD on March 8th as well and Public discussion held on the topic of two ‘Women’s Days’ in Armenia resulted in the recognition of the so called ‘Women’s Month’ which is the period between March 8th and April 7th. In Italy, to celebrate the day, men give yellow mimosas to women. Yellow mimosas and chocolate are also one of the most common March 8th presents in Russia. In countries like Portugal and Romania, it is usual, at the night of 8th March, groups of women celebrate in "women-only" dinners and parties. In India, IWD holds a lot of significance. Many celebrations are held during the day. This portrays the power of women in the modern era and how vital their role is in the society. In 1975, which had been designated as International Women’s Year, the United Nations gave official sanction to and began sponsoring International Women's Day.

Many many happy returns of the day.

Women are not complete without men
And there are no men born without women
Balance and equality between both is a good omen
Let us all wish and pray for it to be forever…….amen!!!

All the best and take care….

With thanks, regards and best wishes,
G.Srikanth.

# posted by Srikanth @ 9:20 PM