International Women's Day 1994

International Women's Day is an international awareness or commemorative observance and is optional in the calendar.

International Women's Day grew out of campaigns by women workers and advocates for voting rights, fair employment, safer factories and political representation in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. In 1909 the United States observed a National Woman's Day. At the international socialist women's conference in Copenhagen in 1910, Clara Zetkin and fellow delegates supported an annual international observance. Large gatherings followed in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland in 1911, when the date had not yet become fixed as 8 March.

In 1917 women textile workers in Petrograd protested for bread and peace during the First World War. Their demonstration began on 23 February in the Julian calendar then used in Russia, corresponding to 8 March in the Gregorian calendar. This helped establish the international date. The United Nations marked International Women's Year in 1975, began celebrating the day and, in 1977, encouraged member states to observe a day for women's rights and international peace.

Today the day honours women's contributions in families, communities, science, education, work, culture and public life while examining barriers to equal rights, safety, health, pay and representation. Its history is collective, not the story of a single founder or an invented ancient tradition. Celebrations are most meaningful when accompanied by practical commitments to dignity, opportunity and freedom from discrimination.

International Women's Day is intended to build public awareness and encourage attention to its associated global issue.

Events honour women's achievements, examine inequalities and support practical commitments to women's rights.

Public observances take place worldwide on 8 March; local themes, campaigns and events differ.