Celebrating International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day celebrates the spirit of women hood around the world. All across the world this day marks almost nine decades of struggle by women for equality and justice.

Also celebrated at the United Nations, this day is a national holiday in several nations. The idea first originated around the start of the 20th century, when there was immense growth and development and also a lot of unrest and turmoil in the industrial world.

The history of International Women's Day can be traced down to centuries-old struggle of women to participate in society and achieve an equal status with men.

In ancient Greece, Lysistrata initiated a sexual strike against men in order to end war; during the French Revolution, Parisian women calling for "liberty, equality, fraternity" marched on Versailles to demand women's suffrage.

In 1917, Russian women went on a strike on the last Sunday in February to strike for "bread and peace" as over two million Russian soldiers had lost their lives. Even though they faced tremendous opposition they carried on and four days later the Czar was forced to renounce and women were granted the right to vote by the provisional Government.

This remarkable Sunday fell on 23 February on the Julian calendar, then in use in Russia, but on 8 March, on the Gregorian calendar in use elsewhere. Since then, International Women’s Day is celebrated globally with much enthusiasm and fervor. Moreover, global United Nations women’s conferences have strengthened the international women’s day movement and have given great impetus.

At Naaree.com, International Women’s day is a time to celebrate and respect, commemorate and enjoy, reflect and rejoice the spirit of women all across the world.