2019 Theme “Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change”

The theme for International Women’s Day this year, “Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change”, puts innovation by women and girls, for women and girls, at the heart of efforts to achieve gender equality.

Achieving a gender-equal world requires social innovations that work for both women and men and that leaves no one behind. From urban planning that focuses on community safety to e-learning platforms that take classrooms to women and girls, affordable and quality childcare centres, and technology shaped by women, innovation can take the race for gender equality to its finishing line by 2030.

It begins with making sure that women’s and girls' needs and experiences are integrated at the very inception of technology and innovation. It means building smart solutions that go beyond acknowledging the gender gaps to addressing the needs of men and women equally. And ultimately, it needs innovations that disrupt business as usual, paying attention to how and by whom technology is used and accessed, and ensuring that women and girls play a decisive role in emerging industries.

International Women's Day is also an opportunity to consider how to accelerate the 2030 Agenda, building momentum for the effective implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, especially goal number 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls; and goal number 4: Ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning.

Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ) is always willing to support and pursue justice for women who are victims of human rights abuses. GICJ promotes human rights and the equality between women and men is no exception. Many women are still facing challenges, inequalities and threats in their everyday lives; abuses and harassment, lower wages, and fewer job and career opportunities. GICJ supports women in equal rights and fights for every woman and girl to realize the rights that are enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. GICJ stands for any other rights that are vital for women’s equality. Women must live equally and free from any kind of discrimination no matter her age, nationality, or social status.

Key words: Women's Day, Gender-equality, Sustainable Development Goals, Agenda 2030, Education

Introduction

International Women's Day is celebrated in many countries around the world. It is a day when women are recognized for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political. International Women's Day first emerged from the activities of labour movements at the turn of the twentieth century in North America and across Europe. In 1945, the Charter of the United Nations became the first international agreement to affirm the principle of equality between women and men. The UN celebrated its first official International Women's Day on 8 March during International Women’s Year in 1975. (Resolution A/32/440).

Since the early years, International Women's Day has assumed a new global dimension for women in developed and developing countries alike. The growing international women's movement, which has been strengthened by four global United Nations women's conferences, has helped make the commemoration a rallying point to build support for women's rights and participation in the political and economic arenas.

History

The idea of an International Women's Day was inspired by America's National Women's Day, February 28, 1909, declared by the Socialist Party of America. The next year, the Socialist International met in Denmark and delegates approved the idea of an International Women's Day. And so in 1911, the first International Women's Day — or as it was first called, International Working Women's Day — was celebrated with rallies in Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. Celebrations often included marches and other demonstrations. Not even a week after the first International Women's Day, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire caused the deaths of 146 garment workers, mostly young immigrant women, in New York City. That incident inspired many changes in industrial working conditions, and the memory of those who died has been often invoked as part of International Women's Days from that point on. Especially in early years, International Women's Day was connected with working women's rights.

Significance of Women’s Day

Women’s Day is celebrated globally on 8 March every year in honour of their remarkable contribution to our society. The day also commemorates the inspiring role of women around the world to secure women’s rights and build more equitable societies. Women’s Day also remembers the voices of many women that go unheard and who continue to be dominated from securing their rights and realizing their full potential.

Woman – the power to create, nurture and transform! The word ‘woman’ conjures up images of selfless love, care and affection. At the same time, women ignite the spirit of power and hope. Unfortunately, across the world, women had to fight for their independence and protection of rights. For decades, women have struggled and are still fighting to express their right to speech, to vote, to equality, to education, to income and most importantly, to freedom.

International Women’s Day honours the women who have paved the path towards our progress and struggled to take ‘womanhood’ to a level where it is now. Unfortunately, at the same time, the day is a reminder of the discrimination and inequality that still continues to plague our society. This special day, dedicated to women around the world, is a celebration of the great success of women across all spheres of life as well as shaping the future.

The objective of Women’s Day is to express love and gratitude towards women’s contribution to our lives and society. It honours the power and struggles of women who have broken all barriers and reached the pinnacle of success in every sphere of life. Today, women across the globe actively participate in politics, education, social work, corporations, sports, IT, research & development, innovation and other diverse fields, and have left their footprints.

Several resolutions to protect women’s rights have also been passed globally, which has opened up broader avenues for the growth and development of women in our society. Women’s Day also celebrates the role of women as a daughter, a wife, a mother, a sister and a homemaker. The day honours the voices that go unheard, the rights that are dominated and the tears that go unnoticed. Even today, there are millions of women around the world who are either speechless or are struggling hard to secure their rights. Discrimination and inequality are still very prominent, especially in developing countries.

2019 Theme “Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change”

The theme for International Women’s Day this year, “Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change”, puts innovation by women and girls, for women and girls, at the heart of efforts to achieve gender equality.

Achieving a gender-equal world requires social innovations that work for both women and men and that leaves no one behind. From urban planning that focuses on community safety to e-learning platforms that take classrooms to women and girls, affordable and quality childcare centres, and technology shaped by women, innovation can take the race for gender equality to its finishing line by 2030.

It begins with making sure that women’s and girls' needs and experiences are integrated at the very inception of technology and innovation. It means building smart solutions that go beyond acknowledging the gender gaps to addressing the needs of men and women equally. And ultimately, it needs innovations that disrupt business as usual, paying attention to how and by whom technology is used and accessed, and ensuring that women and girls play a decisive role in emerging industries.

International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities.

The 2019 theme “Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change” focuses on innovative ways in which we can advance gender equality and the empowerment of women, particularly in the areas of social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure.

Innovation and technology provide unprecedented opportunities, yet trends indicate a growing gender digital divide and women are under-represented in the field of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and design. It prevents them from developing and influencing gender-responsive innovations to achieve transformative gains for society. From mobile banking to artificial intelligence and the internet of things, it is vital that women’s ideas and experiences equally influence the design and implementation of the innovations that shape our future societies.

Echoing the priority theme of the sixty-third session of the Commission on the Status of Women, in 2019, we look to industry leaders, game-changing start-ups, social entrepreneurs, gender equality activists, and women innovators to examine the ways in which innovation can remove barriers and accelerate progress for gender equality, encourage investment in gender-responsive social systems, and build services and infrastructure that meet the needs of women and girls.

Gender equality and the Sustainable Development Goals

International Women's Day is also an opportunity to consider how to accelerate the 2030 Agenda, building momentum for the effective implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, especially goal number 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls; and goal number 4: Ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning.

GICJ Position

Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ) is always willing to support and pursue justice for women who are victims of human rights abuses. GICJ promotes human rights and the equality between women and men is no exception. Many women are still facing challenges, inequalities and threats in their everyday lives; abuses and harassment, lower wages, and fewer job and career opportunities. GICJ supports women in equal rights and fights for every woman and girl to realize the rights that are enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. GICJ stands for any other rights that are vital for women’s equality. Women must live equally and free from any kind of discrimination no matter her age, nationality, or social status.

#BalanceforBetter, Women's Rights, Gender-Equality, Gender-Equity, Sustainable Development Goals, Agenda 2030, Education, Justice, Human rights, Geneva, geneva4justice, GICJ, Geneva International Centre For Justice 

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