History and meaning of International Women's Day 8/3

On March 8 every year, women in the world are honored by all mankind. However, what day is March 8, the origin and meaning of this day is not well understood.

History of the International Women's Day

The history of International Women's Day 8-3 begins with the struggle for the rights of American female workers .

At the end of the 19th century, capitalism flourished, especially in the United States. Industry develops, attracting many women and children to work in factories and enterprises. The owners of capital take advantage of the strength of women and children, pay low wages to make the lives of women and children miserable. Resentment over the brutal oppression, on March 8 , 1899 , in the cities of Chicago and New-York (America) broke out the strong struggle of female textile workers, demanding a raise. , reduce working hours.

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Demonstration of women's rights in the world.

Despite being persecuted, persecuted and kicked out of the factory, women still united and persisted in fighting, forcing the bourgeois owners to give in. That victory encouraged the fighting spirit of American women workers. In February 1909, for the first time, women all over the United States organized a "Women's Day" rally, a riotous demonstration of equal rights for women. In New York, 3,000 women attended a meeting to protest against the government's recognition of women's suffrage.

Those first struggles of American female workers had a great reputation, a source of strong encouragement for the women's labor movement around the world. In the fighting movement at that time, there were two brilliant revolutionary female soldiers, Mrs. La-re-Zet-Kin (German) and Mrs. Ro-da-luya-Tattoo-Bua (Polish people). ). The two women collaborated with Lenin's wife Nadezhda Krupskaya to mobilize the establishment of the International Women's Secretariat to lead the movement.

Before the growing number and quality of women's movements in the world. On August 26 and 27, 1910, the 2nd congress of the world women was summoned in Copenhagen (Denmark's capital), attending 100 female delegates from 17 countries, decided to take the day. March 8 as an international women's day to fight for the rights of women and children.

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8-hour working day. Equal work, equal pay. Protection of mothers and children.

Since then, March 8 has become a festival of women in the world, uniting to fight for self-liberation, exercising equal rights of men and women and since then, women have progressed throughout the year to organize the day. March 8 with rich content and forms.

The content of International Women's Day 8/3 does not stop at equal rights but is extended to the new concept of "development", "Gender". The issue of women has been widely acknowledged by many countries in the world and fully appreciated in various aspects through a series of world conferences. Since the 1970s, there have been 4 world conferences on women:

  1. The first conference was held in Mexico in 1975, opening the decade of women.
  2. The second conference was held at Cindernhagen (Denmark) in 1980.
  3. The third conference was held in Nairobi (Kenya) in 1985. At this conference "Strategy to look forward for women's progress" was adopted.
  4. The fourth conference was held in Beijing (China) in 1995.

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The United Nations-held world conferences on women are enormous international events for the political life of the world especially for women. Therefore, the issue of women's liberation, because of the advancement of women is a global problem.

The purpose of the Beijing Conference was to review the implementation of the "Strategy for looking ahead for women's progress" that was proposed at the Nairobi conference and the UN convention "Eliminating all forms of division." Discrimination against women " (CEDAW Convention) simultaneously adopts the " Platform for action for the advancement of women worldwide until 2000 ".

"Beijing Declaration" and "The Platform for Global Advancement of Women to 2000" are the two most important documents of the Beijing conference. These two documents draw on the obstacles on the way to strive for the equality of women next to men; On the other hand, it affirms the commitment and determination of governments and international organizations by all means to achieve the goal of Equality-Development-Peace for the advancement of women.

International Women's Day in Vietnam

Following that commitment, on October 4, 1997, our government issued the Decision No. 822 / TTG on approving the National Action Plan for the Advancement of Women, promulgating 11 goals for the Women's progress to the year 2000 to pledge to the world Action for the Advancement of Vietnamese Women aims to "Action for equality, development and peace" of the Beijing conference.

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In our country, on March 8, the anniversary of the rebellion of Hai Ba Trung , the first two national heroines beat the foreign invaders and regained national sovereignty. The pride and will to rise up of Vietnamese women also partly comes from that unique national tradition.

In the spring of 40, Hai Ba Trung waved a flag of insurrection and received the enthusiastic response of the lạc servants, lạc generals, of patriots throughout the district towns and the force of women who participated. means.

With the overwhelming support of the forces, the Rebellion of Hai Ba Trung has spread everywhere. Under the ingenious leadership of Hai Ba Trung, the uprising won, smashed the colonial government, forced General To Dinh to disguise, cut his hair, shave away to the country.

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After the victorious uprising, Mrs. Trung Trac was venerated by the generals and the people. She took the throne and took the title of Trung Nu Vuong ; capital in Me Linh (Me Linh district - Vinh Phuc province today).

In 42, the Han Dynasty pulled troops to invade our country. The two women once again came to the army, waving the insurrection flag, protecting the country. However, due to the large difference in forces with the enemy, the revolt only lasted 2 years. Hai Ba gave a heroic sacrifice to protect the nation.

The victory of the rebellion of the Two Sisters is considered an immortal epic, expressing the independence and national pride. At the same time, the revolt is also a testament to the strength of Vietnamese women in human history in the cause of national construction and defense.

On March 8, 1965, appreciating the dedication of women in the Southern Party, the government, Uncle Ho donated the embroidering banner of 8 golden words " Hero - Indomitable - Middle-aged - Ensuring " and the State gave Southern women Medal "First Council " first class.

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Currently, in Vietnam, women make up 51% of the workforce and play a major role in family work and parenting. Among the National Assembly deputies, the highest power organization, women make up 27.3% and are evaluated by the United Nations: " Vietnamese women participate in the highest political activity in the world ". Vietnam has a university graduation rate of 36.24%, a master degree of 33.95% and a doctorate of 25.96%.

In Vietnam, in order to show the honor of women, half of the world, people often organize very solemn, full of flowers and good wishes. March 8 is also the day men show their loving care for the woman they love.

Meaning of international women's day

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In 365 days of a year, women have a single day to be concerned by society and make up for the disadvantages and hardships in life. They always silently sacrifice and endure to build family happiness. Therefore, they deserve more respect and care from the other half of the world, sharing with them the difficulties of work and family.

No one can deny the great role and responsibility of modern women: They are both housewives and social workers, contributing their strength to the development of the country, not only that, they also hold a noble position as a mother, bringing heavy pain to their children and raising them into people. Women today are gradually asserting themselves as women , not as weak women as before.