Some interesting history!! Movements to further women’s rights began in Copenhagen in 1910, expanded to Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland in 1911, and continued in Russia and Europe during the World War I years. This history precedes the 1945 signing of the Charter of the United Nations, which contains the first international agreement to affirm the principle of equality between women and men.

In 1975 the UN began to celebrate 8 March as International Women’s Day. In 1977 the General Assembly adopted a resolution which proclaimed a United Nations “Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace,” as International Women’s Day is officially called. The UN observes this day every year on 8 March and usually the Secretary-General delivers a special message.

Women Watch is a UN interagency website and provides information and resources related to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women throughout the UN system. Women Watch provides relevant info about the 8 March and the 2007 theme which is “Ending Impunity for Violence against Women and Girls”.

The ECOSOC Commission on the Status of Women meets this year in New York from 26 February – 9 March. The priority theme for 2007 is the “Elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against the girl child.” More information about this meeting can be found by clicking here.