A brief and clear explanation of why we celebrate International Women's Day
International Women's Day began in 1909 as a day to recognize the achievements of women More recently (1995) the UN lead the development of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action to expand the focus of the day by highlighting 12 critical areas of concern to gender equality and the empowerment of women 2016 represents the 21 st anniversary of the Beijing declaration and the first year of the post 2015 [or post millennium development goals era (i.e. 2000-2015)], unfortunately many of the same barriers and constraints that were recognized by the Beijing signatories are still in force globally. There are bright highlights where progress has been made. But no country has achieved gender equality Concern over the lack of progress reported in 2015 promoted world leaders assembled to adopt Agenda 2030 and its Sustainable Development Goals to initiate a new plan a new campaign of Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality
Why this is significant for the audience
In 2015 The United States fell to 28th place on a yearly list of the world's most and least equal countries for men and women, behind countries including Iceland, Rwanda and Germany. Illinois is the third most equal state for women. T he 100 Percent Project. Its aim is to end gender bias in Illinois and achieve equitable employment of women all the way to corporate suites and politica l seats by 2030 Everyone has a role to play to make gender equality a lived reality by 2030.
What people can do after they leave the event to further the cause of 50-50
Attendees can further the cause by: o Creating, supporting others, and/or participating in programs for gender equality and the empowerment of women o Encouraging women's participation in decision-making at all levels of the community o Creating public education campaigns to designed to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women o Participate in the Wiki blog page StepItUp 50-50 by 2030 Blog
Equality of access to and attainment of educational qualifications is necessary if more women are to become agents of change.
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2016 International Women’s Day – Step-It-Up for Equality
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