How International Women's Day was celebrated around the world on 8th March. The day is "a global celebration of women's social, political, and cultural achievements from the past and present, while pushing for progress for future generations." This year's theme was 'Press for Progress'. Several events were organized by government and non-government organizations worldwide. In some countries, such as Russia, Vietnam, Cuba, Nepal etc it is a public holiday and people get the day off work.
This year millions of women gathered across the world to strike, and protest against issues of occupational segregation, substantial gender pay gap, and physical violence to mark International Women's Day.
SPAIN: This year, working women of Spain observed first "feminist strike." More than 5 million workers took part in this strike. Women halted work in 24 hours strike. The strike was organized by 10 unions in collaboration with Spain's top women politicians. Twenty-four hours of strikes and rallies kicked off at midnight in the capital Madrid. Protesters gathered at the central square banging pots and pans as the city council buildings behind them were lit up in purple, the official colour of #IWD2018. The purpose of the strike was to highlight sexual discrimination, domestic violence and the wage gap.
PHILIPPINE: Hundreds of activists in pink and purple shirts protested in downtown Manila against Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, calling him among the worst violators of women's rights in Asia. Protest leaders sang and danced in a boisterous rally in Plaza Miranda, handing red and white roses to mothers, sisters, and widows of drug suspects slain under Duterte's crackdown on illegal drugs.
RUSSIA: Women's Day in Russia was marked by the popular practice of bestowing flowers upon women. Happy girls and women were carrying bouquets of roses, tulips, and chamomiles gifted by their men. Many Russians call March 8 the "Day of Spring and Flowers." The day was full of positive emotions, blooming flowers, and pleasant gifts and surprises for women. Men thanked their women for being there during the untoward of times and congratulate and compliment them encouraging them to move ahead in life.
Vladimir Putin congratulated Russian women on International Women's Day by reciting a Soviet-era poem and saying "Woman is the kind and serene figure in every man's life."
UNITED KINGDOM: In London, an International Women's Day flag flew over parliament for the first time as MPs and peers marked the day with a debate in both Houses of parliament. The shadow equalities minister, Dawn Butler, said she had been inspired by the flag flying over the Transport for London building on Monday and had approached the Speaker, John Bercow, about a flag for parliament. He approved the plan with less than 24 hours to go, as the House commemorated 100 years since the first women in the UK got the vote.
SOUTH KOREA: Hundreds of Women wearing black dresses organized massive rallies in central Seoul to support me too campaign. The workplace mistreatment and sexual misconduct has widely condemned by the women across the country since the beginning of this year.
Several high-profile South Korean men have resigned from positions of power, including a governor who was a leading presidential contender before he was accused of indecency. According to a newspaper report on the eve of International Women's Day, protesters in Seoul gathered outside the Japanese embassy to highlight the plight of so-called "comfort women" - a euphemism for the 200,000 girls and young women who were forced to work in Japanese brothels before and during the second world war.
FRANCE: Demonstrators here called for supporters, including men, to down tools in their workplaces at 15.40 in solidarity with their female colleagues. The French Prime Minister, Edouard Philippe, presented 50 measures to promote equality and combat violence against women, resulting from a nationwide consultation, entitled the Equality Tour de France. They include an equal pay task force and fines for companies not offering the same remuneration to staff. PAKISTAN: The International Women's Day was celebrated in various cities of the country on 8 March. Several rallies and events by various organizations were held in Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore. Women carrying placards, banners, and slogans in favour of women's empowerment.
In Lahore, Pakistani female traffic police officers took part in a motorbike rally to celebrate International Women's Day. Another noteworthy occasion took place in Islamabad. American Embassy official along with Islamabad Inspector General Police, Sultan Azam Temuri presented Outstanding Achievement Award to Islamabad woman police officer Sameena Sarwar on behalf of American Ambassador David Hale during an event to celebrate International Women's Day at Police Line.
GOOGLE CELEBERATION: Google is celebrated International Women's Day by featuring doodles of 12 female artists, including a British-Pakistani, on its homepage. The search engine giant displayed interactive illustrations of artists from 12 countries, including the US, Japan, Pakistan and Mexico.
According to Google, each story represents "a moment, person, or event that has impacted their lives as women. While each artist tells a unique story, the themes are universal, reminding us of how much we often have in common."
AID SECTOR: A media report states that more than 1,000 female aid workers from around the world signed an open letter calling for urgent reform across the humanitarian sector. The letter, addressed to the leaders of international charities, the UN and donors, urged organizations to treat allegations of sexual harassment and abuse as a priority. The letter warned of the need for action rather than words. "We are gravely concerned that the culture of silence, intimidation, and abuse will continue as soon as the media spotlight on this issue begins to dim," said the signatories. "We need effective leadership, commitment to action and access to resources."
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