International Women's Day 2019

International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8, worldwide. It is a day when women are recognized for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political.

It is a time to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities. IWD has been observed since the early 1900's.

The theme of IWD 2019 is: “Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change”

This theme focuses on innovative ways to advance gender equality and women empowerment, especially in the fields of social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) can be achieved by inculcating transformative shifts, integrated approaches, that disrupt routine and provide new solutions. In order to achieve this, there is need to remove structural barriers and making sure that no women and girl is left behind.

Even with so much technological opportunities, there is gender-divide in representation of women in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics which is affecting the transformative profits for society. To shape our future lives, it is important to have equal participation of women’s ideas and experiences to influence implementation of innovations.

Some facts:

Economic empowerment

Women’s economic empowerment is of great importance to realize women’s right and gender equality.
Many SDGs can be achieved by 2030 only if women are economically empowered and there is gender equality.
Increasing women’s and girls’ educational attainment contributes to women’s economic empowerment and more inclusive economic growth.
Working women make economy grow which is good for business.

Gender equality

Globally, over 2.7 billion women are restricted by law from getting same job choices as men.
Women participation in labour force is 63% compared to 94% for men.
Women are over-represented in informal and vulnerable sectors.
There is gender wage gap-women earn 77% of men’s income.
Most of women’s work have no monetary value but are essential for economic development. These unpaid tasks often go unrecognized.
Women are less likely to be entrepreneurs and constrained from having higher positions in society.

Activities related to welfare of women

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare*, Government of India provides various health care services for women’s health under RMNCH+A strategy. The strategy is continuum of care to ensure equal focus on various life stages and to provide comprehensive and integrated health services most importantly to adolescents, mothers and children.

Ministry of women and child development**, Government of India promotes social and economic empowerment of women through various policies and programmes, mainstreaming gender concerns, creating awareness about their rights and facilitating institutional and legislative support for enabling them realize their human rights and develop to their full potential.

For knowing more about Women Empowerment Schemes- click here

International Women's Day 2018

References:

International Women’s Day

08 Mar.2019

Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change