This year’s theme for International Women’s Day (8 March) is, “I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights”.
The Generation Equality campaign is bringing together people of every gender, age, ethnicity, race, religion and country, to drive actions that will create the gender-equal world we all deserve.
BREAKING NEWS that’s been breaking for decades: Women are still not treated equally in the workplace.
Let’s make gender equality a reality. #IWD2020 #GenerationEquality pic.twitter.com/D5Kmfpj8fk
— UN Women (@UN_Women) March 6, 2020
A symbol for change
The United Nations first celebrated International Women’s Day during International Women’s Year in 1975. By 1977, the UN and its member states proclaimed 8 March would be an official day for women’s rights and world peace. It’s now observed all over the world.
The #EachForEqual campaign has become a symbol of the movement, which extends far beyond 8 March, with activities running all year long. The idea is to reinforce and galvanize collective action, holding events and talks that urge us all to share responsibility and play our part.
The theme for #IWD2020 is #EachforEqual. What does that mean to you? See how you can make a difference this #InternationalWomensDay here > https://t.co/knLCytAHVt pic.twitter.com/2aKeMCFykl
— Women's Day (@womensday) January 21, 2020
The campaign highlights six key areas:
1. Championing women forging tech innovation
2. Applauding equality for women athletes
3. Forging inclusive workplaces so women thrive
4. Supporting women to earn on their own terms
5. Empowering women through health education
6. Increasing visibility for female creatives
To date, no country in the world has achieved gender equality, so we imagined one! Join #GenerationEquality for a tour of the bustling capital of Equiterra. #IWD2020
— UN Women (@UN_Women) March 5, 2020
Progress toward parity
As the campaign highlights, forging equality in these areas and more is crucial to a “healthier, wealthier and more harmonious” world.
Gender parity is highly regarded as a benchmark of progress, and has a direct bearing on whether or not economies and societies thrive. According to the Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2020, Western Europe has taken the largest strides toward parity, currently at 76.7%, closely followed by North America at 72.9%. South Asia, the Middle East and North Africa are at the lower end of the scale, with parity sitting between 60.5% and 66.1%.
