Why celebrate Women’s Day?
Mar 07, 2006
<b>Rehema Aanyu</b><br><br>Why celebrate women’s day?†a friend recently asked me. To her, one out of 360 days in a year to be set aside for women means they are not equal to men. Where is justice?†she asked. I think a large number of Ugandans share the same view.
Rehema Aanyu
Why celebrate women’s day?†a friend recently asked me. To her, one out of 360 days in a year to be set aside for women means they are not equal to men. Where is justice?†she asked. I think a large number of Ugandans share the same view.
I wish to highlight the importance of this day. The idea of International Women’s Day emerged at the turn of the century. During this time, the industrialised world was largely characterised by expansion and turbulence, a booming population growth and the birth of radical ideologies. Women were left out because of these developments because they were perceived to belong at home – cooking and mothering.
However, women too desired equal participation in the struggles and triumphs of industrial growth and development. They thus rose up and demanded for equal opportunities, equal rights and freedoms, and equal pay as their male counterparts.
In 1909, in accordance with the declaration by the Soviet Party of America, the first national women’s day was observed across the United States. In 1910, the socialist international meetings in Copenhagen successfully established an international women’s day to honour the movement for women’s rights and also assist in achieving universal suffrage for women.
In 1911, following the decision taken in Copenhagen, the International Women’s Day was celebrated in respect of the women’s struggle for equality, freedom and equal participation in democracy.
As a woman, March 8 is a day to reflect on the success and progress of women emancipation groups. It is also time to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of women’s rights. It is thus worth celebrating because it is a day firmly rooted in the pages of history as a special day for women to reflect on their struggle for equality, peace, justice, freedom, development and women emancipation. Women today especially those in influential positions should make wise decisions to consolidate the successes of the women emancipation movement. A number of women made it to Parliament in the recent elections. The onus is on them to uphold the struggle until the war is won. Women in Uganda and across the globe are still living under oppression and complete disregard. Let this women’s day be a platform for their freedom and success in life.
The writer is a student of
Makerere University
Why celebrate women’s day?†a friend recently asked me. To her, one out of 360 days in a year to be set aside for women means they are not equal to men. Where is justice?†she asked. I think a large number of Ugandans share the same view.
I wish to highlight the importance of this day. The idea of International Women’s Day emerged at the turn of the century. During this time, the industrialised world was largely characterised by expansion and turbulence, a booming population growth and the birth of radical ideologies. Women were left out because of these developments because they were perceived to belong at home – cooking and mothering.
However, women too desired equal participation in the struggles and triumphs of industrial growth and development. They thus rose up and demanded for equal opportunities, equal rights and freedoms, and equal pay as their male counterparts.
In 1909, in accordance with the declaration by the Soviet Party of America, the first national women’s day was observed across the United States. In 1910, the socialist international meetings in Copenhagen successfully established an international women’s day to honour the movement for women’s rights and also assist in achieving universal suffrage for women.
In 1911, following the decision taken in Copenhagen, the International Women’s Day was celebrated in respect of the women’s struggle for equality, freedom and equal participation in democracy.
As a woman, March 8 is a day to reflect on the success and progress of women emancipation groups. It is also time to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of women’s rights. It is thus worth celebrating because it is a day firmly rooted in the pages of history as a special day for women to reflect on their struggle for equality, peace, justice, freedom, development and women emancipation. Women today especially those in influential positions should make wise decisions to consolidate the successes of the women emancipation movement. A number of women made it to Parliament in the recent elections. The onus is on them to uphold the struggle until the war is won. Women in Uganda and across the globe are still living under oppression and complete disregard. Let this women’s day be a platform for their freedom and success in life.
The writer is a student of
Makerere University