International Women's Day

Today: March 8th is International Women's Day.

International Women's Day has been observed since in the early 1900's, a time of great expansion and turbulence in the industrialized world that saw booming population growth and the rise of radical ideologies. 

1908
Great unrest and critical debate was occurring amongst women. Women's oppression and inequality was spurring women to become more vocal and active in campaigning for change. Then in 1908, 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter hours, better pay and voting rights.

1909
In accordance with a declaration by the Socialist Party of America, the first National Woman's Day (NWD) was observed across the United States on 28 February. Women continued to celebrate NWD on the last Sunday of February until 1913.

1910

In 1910 a second International Conference of Working Women was held in Copenhagen. A woman named a Clara Zetkin (Leader of the 'Women's Office' for the Social Democratic Party in Germany) tabled the idea of an International Women's Day. She proposed that every year in every country there should be a celebration on the same day - a Women's Day - to press for their demands. The conference of over 100 women from 17 countries, representing unions, socialist parties, working women's clubs, and including the first three women elected to the Finnish parliament, greeted Zetkin's suggestion with unanimous approval and thus International Women's Day was the result.

1911
Following the decision agreed at Copenhagen in 1911, International Women's Day (IWD) was honoured the first time in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland on 19 March. More than one million women and men attended IWD rallies campaigning for women's rights to work, vote, be trained, to hold public office and end discrimination. However less than a week later on 25 March, the tragic 'Triangle Fire' in New York City took the lives of more than 140 working women, most of them Italian and Jewish immigrants. This disastrous event drew significant attention to working conditions and labour legislation in the United States that became a focus of subsequent International Women's Day events. 1911 also saw women's 'Bread and Roses' campaign.
 

1913-1914
On the eve of World War I campaigning for peace, Russian women observed their first International Women's Day on the last Sunday in February 1913. In 1913 following discussions, International Women's Day was transferred to 8 March and this day has remained the global date for International Wommen's Day ever since. In 1914 further women across Europe held rallies to campaign against the war and to express women's solidarity.

1917
On the last Sunday of February, Russian women began a strike for "bread and peace" in response to the death over 2 million Russian soldiers in war. Opposed by political leaders the women continued to strike until four days later the Czar was forced to abdicate and the provisional Government granted women the right to vote. The date the women's strike commenced was Sunday 23 February on the Julian calendar then in use in Russia. This day on the Gregorian calendar in use elsewhere was 8 March.

1918 - 1999
Since its birth in the socialist movement, International Women's Day has grown to become a global day of recognition and celebration across developed and developing countries alike. For decades, IWD has grown from strength to strength annually. For many years the United Nations has held an annual IWD conference to coordinate international efforts for women's rights and participation in social, political and economic processes. 1975 was designated as 'International Women's Year' by the United Nations. Women's organisations and governments around the world have also observed IWD annually on 8 March by holding large-scale events that honour women's advancement and while diligently reminding of the continued vigilance and action required to ensure that women's equality is gained and maintained in all aspects of life.

2000 and beyond
IWD is now an official holiday in Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, China (for women only), Cuba, Georgia, Guinea-Bissau, Eritrea, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Madagascar (for women only), Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Nepal (for women only), Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Zambia. The tradition sees men honouring their mothers, wives, girlfriends, colleagues, etc with flowers and small gifts. In some countries IWD has the equivalent status of Mother's Day where children give small presents to their mothers and grandmothers.

The new millennium has witnessed a significant change and attitudinal shift in both women's and society's thoughts about women's equality and emancipation. Many from a younger generation feel that 'all the battles have been won for women' while many feminists from the 1970's know only too well the longevity and ingrained complexity of patriarchy. With more women in the boardroom, greater equality in legislative rights, and an increased critical mass of women's visibility as impressive role models in every aspect of life, one could think that women have gained true equality. The unfortunate fact is that women are still not paid equally to that of their male counterparts, women still are not present in equal numbers in business or politics, and globally women's education, health and the violence against them is worse than that of men.

However, great improvements have been made. We do have female astronauts and prime ministers, school girls are welcomed into university, women can work and have a family, women have real choices. And so the tone and nature of IWD has, for the past few years, moved from being a reminder about the negatives to a celebration of the positives.

Annually on 8 March, thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate achievements. A global web of rich and diverse local activity connects women from all around the world ranging from political rallies, business conferences, government activities and networking events through to local women's craft markets, theatric performances, fashion parades and more.

Many global corporations have also started to more actively support IWD by running their own internal events and through supporting external ones. For example, on 8 March search engine and media giant Google some years even changes its logo on its global search pages. Year on year IWD is certainly increasing in status. The United States even designates the whole month of March as 'Women's History Month'.

So make a difference, think globally and act locally !! Make everyday International Women's Day. Do your bit to ensure that the future for girls is bright, equal, safe and rewarding.

About  internationalwomensday.com website

internationalwomensday.com is a global hub for sharing International Women’s Day information, events, news and resources.

The website was founded in 2001 as a non-profit philanthropic venture dedicated to keeping International Women’s Day (IWD) alive and growing.

Since 2007, IWD has gained considerable momentum due to greater media attention, events, social networking and corporate support. IWD is now celebrated via wide scale activity in almost every country and many world leaders support the day with official statements.

This service is proudly provided by Aurora Ventures as a non-profit venture and kindly supported by a number of companies who make it possible for this International Women's Day website to operate. Without their support, the website could not survive. Each Supporting Partner has a firm track record in supporting women's equality and advancement. We like to celebrate International Women’s Day, but we also want to celebrate our Supporting Partners!

Going Natural

Preparing for Natural Childbirth

Almost every single woman in the world is equipped to have a natural childbirth.  However, in modern America, with easy access to pain relieving medication, sometimes it can be difficult to choose a different option during childbirth.  If natural childbirth is something you may consider, here are a few tips to prepare.

1. Preparation: While you can never actually prepare for what to expect in childbirth, just like a runner can't know what to expect running her first marathon, preparation is key to success. 
2. Read:  Read about labor and birth. Read about what happens to the body as a woman progresses  through pregnancy and into labor as well as what happens to the body during labor.  Read inspiring birth stories such as those found in Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, Embracing Birth, and Journey to Motherhood are great ways to emotionally and mentally prepare for childbirth.
3. Get your provider's support: Talk with your provider about your desires and ask how they will be able to support your decision to not use pharmacological pain medication.
4. Assemble a birth team:  While a labor coach or doula isn't for every woman, labor companions/coaches have been known to be very effective in reducing the use of pain medication during labor. Getting your partner involved is also helpful.  Dr. Bradley wrote the book a Husband-Coached Childbirth, which is applicable for any birth partner, relative, sister, friend to read to prepare for childbirth.
5. Exercise: Prep the body for the marathon of labor. Labor is physically demanding and being in good shape will help you feel prepared both mentally and physically. Exercise on a weekly basis
6. Learn how to relax: Choose a relaxation method and practice it before the delivery. Relaxation is key to handling the discomforts of labor. Many techniques are effective such as: meditation, guided imagery, hypnobirthing/hypnosis, deep breathing or focuses breathing, or listening to music or affirmations. Try some methods out before the labor and choose one that works for you.
7. Know your options and restrictions: Talk with your provider about changing positions, using a birthing ball, or hydrotherapy during labor.  Discuss with your provider the use of fetal monitoring during labor or IV therapy that may limit your mobility.
8. Consider hydrotherapy: Water can be extermely soothing for a laboring woman and some settings may require notification ahead of time or you may have to rent a tub.
9. Take a tour: Be familiar with the setting where you will give birth. This will help you to visualize your labor before it takes place. 
10. Plan ahead: Have a bag packed, any insurance paperwork, ID cards, and documents you may need for the labor in one place ready to go.  Have child care options ready for your other children.
11. Enjoy your labor experience and welcoming your new babe into the world.

Always consult with your health care provider before beginning any exercise, class, or meditation program.

Natural Hospital Birth

At the risk of being a groupie, I just have to mention how excited I am by Cynthia Gabriel's book Natural Hospital Birth, The Best of Both Worlds.
In America, we are so unindated with compromise and moderation.  We have business class, crossover SUVs, and 2% milk, but when it comes to birth we have been black and white for a long time,  Cynthia's book, however,  is an anthem to the 50 Shades of Grey natural hospital birth allows us.

I'm elated that this middle of the road option is also being applied to the birthing room.  I mean, where would America be without the middle class? Women no longer have to choose between the two extremes of home birth or overly defensive hospital birth, armed only with a birth plan and a semi-supportive, annoyed practioner.  We are seeing all types of women, providers, and births in the hosptial setting. It's darn well about time!

Amazon link to the book