“Women have always been courageous… They are always fearless when protecting their children, and in the last Century they have been fearless in the fight for their rights.” Isabel Allende
Motivation Mondays: International Women’s Day #IWD2016 – #planet5050 #pledgeforparity
Motivation Mondays: International Women’s Day #IWD2016 – Sustainable Development Goals
The 2016 theme for International Women’s Day is “Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality”. The United Nations observance on 8 March will reflect on how to accelerate the 2030 Agenda, building momentum for the effective implementation of the new Sustainable Development Goals. It will equally focus on new commitments under UN Women’s Step It Up initiative, and other existing commitments on gender equality, women’s empowerment and women’s human rights. UN Women.Org
Why We Must Step Up for Gender Equality: On March 8th, we will celebrate International Women’s Day, and the 2016 theme is Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality. According to the Global Gender Gap Report, disparities between men and women exist in four key areas: health, education, economy, and politics. To achieve the 5th Sustainable Development Goal of gender equality by 2030, we must encourage our leaders to step up their efforts to make this goal a global reality. Stepping up for gender equity isn’t about putting one gender above the other; it is about creating opportunities for ALL of us, male and female, to have access to opportunities that open all doors to success. Without adequate education, healthcare, economic participation, and political empowerment, we cannot effectively achieve gender parity.
“I write for those women who do not speak, for those who do not have a voice because they were so terrified, because we are taught to respect fear more than ourselves. We’ve been taught that silence would save us, but it won’t.” Audre Lorde
Motivation Mondays: International Women’s Day #IWD2016 – #planet5050 #pledgeforparity
Motivation Mondays: International Women’s Day #IWD2016 – Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality
We say by Pledging For Parity!
Everyone – men and women – can pledge to take a concrete step to help achieve gender parity more quickly – whether to help women and girls achieve their ambitions, call for gender-balanced leadership, respect and value difference, develop more inclusive and flexible cultures or root out workplace bias. Each of us can be a leader within our own spheres of influence and commit to take pragmatic action to accelerate gender parity. InternationalWomen’sDay.org
Is Gender Equality Relevant in Our Society Today? Yes, every nation should make it a top priority to encourage everyone to give their best work in service to humanity. To be fully engaged in service to our communities, we need access to training, mentoring, and funding. If women are denied such access, then 50% of a nation’s potential is lost. I believe that all women have the potential to live fulfilling lives,s and we can do great things globally. However, female empowerment must begin with each of us working with women and men who believe in gender parity. Women must rise above petty bickering, learn to support and uplift each other, and men must collaborate with us to achieve mutual goals. We must stop sabotaging our gender and align with men who support equality for all. For every wall we tear down, for every glass ceiling we break, for every stride we make toward change, we must bring others along and mentor the younger generation.
Motivation Mondays details are below. Join in! The themes for February and March 2016 are:
Timeline of International Women’s Day (IWD)
28 February 1909 – First observed in the USA as National Women’s Day in Chicago
August 1910 – Attendees at the International Women’s Conference in Denmark propose the idea 18 March, 1911 – IWD was celebrated by over a million people in Europe; right to vote, hold public office and end gender discrimination at work were key issues.
February 1913 – Russian women observed their first International Women’s Day. In 1917, it became official in the region.
March 1914 – International Women’s Day was celebrated for the first time on Sunday, March 8, and this date has continued as the preferred/official day since.
October 1, 1949 – In the People’s Republic of China, the state council decided that March 8 would be made an official half day off holiday for women in China 1977 – International Women’s Day (marked by the UN since 1975), became a popular event when the United Nations General Assembly invited member states to proclaim March 8 as the official UN Day for women’s rights and world peace.
March 8 2010 – International Women’s Day – the ICRC (Red Cross) drew attention to the hardship displaced women endure (refugees and others at war) and has continued its call to end armed conflict. March 8 2011 – International Women’s Day – Celebrations took place in more than 100 countries in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day
March 8 1996 – Present – Every year, the UN adopts a special theme to focus attention on. The Theme for International Women’s Day 2016 is Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality. *See the rest below
Sources: UN Women Watch, International Women’s Day.com, Wikipedia
What More Can We Do On International Women’s Day? If you look at the abbreviated International Women’s Day timeline above, you will notice this movement began over a Century ago. With each passing year and each new UN theme, we make inroads that benefit us all, but there is still much work to do. When I think about this year’s themes, Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality and PledgeForParity, I realize how much work remains in the struggle for Women’s Equality in an unequal world. By pledging for parity, we can join forces with others who are working hard to end all forms of gender bias globally. Even as more of us leave the home to go to work, our pay is still 77 cents for every dollar paid to our male colleagues, and many women around the world face incredible barriers and limited access in the workplace. For most women with children, the workday continues when they get home. In countries around the world, women are discouraged from getting an education, which limits their ability to earn more. Gender parity is imperative if we are to move into a more equal world. In the 100+ years that women have demanded the right to equal treatment, our accomplishments have come through struggle and united action. Without the cohesive effort of women who believed there was merit in pursuing the collective vision of equal opportunity and freedom, we would still be in the dark ages of women being owned as property. There is work to do, and all of us, men and women, can make it happen; we must begin to appreciate the fact that it is the smart thing to do.
Positive Motivation Tip: Women and men can make a difference when they unite to end inequalities on all levels. Join the movement
Motivation Mondays is open to anyone who wants to share a motivational quote, photo, personal challenge, or post that encourages others to start the week on an upbeat note. Basic Instructions: Each week, I will have a Motivation word to help us create a response. (See listed words for the months above/below) Email address: You may email or share your post as a comment, and I will add it to the round-up of related posts. email it to: contact(@)mirthandmotivation(.)com Category tag: – Share your post using Motivation Mondays Twitter hashtag: – Use this on Twitter #MotvnM Dedicated Page: There is a dedicated page for Motivation Mondays. It has the same instructions and will include other helpful tools and a link to the round-up Facebook Page:MotivationOnMonday.s Join our page and add your post and/or any motivational piece you think will be helpful to others. Facebook Community: We have a Facebook community forum to complement the page. It’s another way to share uplifting posts and thoughts. Please join in and add your voice.
Badge: – I created a fun badge using PicMonkey’s free photo editing tools. You can create your own, useWordPress’’ integrated tool on your blog, or you are welcome to use mine. (see dedicated page) Tag: – Motivation Mondays Hashtag: – #MotvnM
I love the concept of International Women’s Day and think it’s so important to remind women (and teach young girls) to support one another every day of the year!
It’s quite sad to see that although we live in the 21st century, there is still a huge gap in gender equality. I think we need to use days like International Women’s Day to raise a greater awareness about the issue.
I think it is a great idea. Suppression and rejection bring resentment and outrage. God willing, enough outrage for more people to get on board and finally do something about it. Permanently.I hope I do
get to see this change in my lifetime!
This was such an informative read! I’m checking out the International Women’s Day website now. This is a very important topic and we really don’t hear much about it. Thanks for the info. 🙂
Such a motivating post to go through especially on the International Women’s Day. We all talk about Gender Equality. But, do you think, we really get a chance to follow it wholeheartedly in this male-chauvinist society?
This was amazing story especially video on Gender Equality. Thanks for remind me that it was a International Women Day celebrating our struggles and history.
I get upset when I hear that women are the “weaker sex,” and get treated as such. I am and always be an advocate for gender equality. As the old cliche goes, “What men can do, Women can do better!”
I enjoyed International Women’s Day today. So many ways to celebrate and phenomenal causes going on. We can certainly move mountains if we truly stand together.
If only we all learned in high school that it was much more beneficial (and fun!) to support one another and boost each other up! Oh well, maybe that’s a lesson better learned later in life. So grateful for the wonderfully supportive community of women out there!
Gender Equality is a global issue and with the advancement of technology and education, I hope that we may achieve this goal before 2030. Thanks for this wonderful post and Happy Women’s Day to you too! 🙂
I actually celebrated IWD yesterday with an avent at marjks and Spencer, celebrating women everywhere, so I really love your post. It’s just so sad that equality is really more than just women’s rights, even more so in race, as well as other biases. What stood out to me for IWD is the IWD special I caught on National Geographic, where Malala Yousafzai shared how the world knows now that the extremists are afraid of a girl with a book. because they want to keep women uneducated.
It is hard to believe that it is already the 21st century yet gender equality is still not a reality in world society up to now. To think we all love our mothers.
i totally believe that women is fearles when protecting chilldren. Im a mum myself and always protective and trying to be there for my daughter everytime
What a fantastic post! Love Margaret Thatcher quote! So true. I would add just another great quote by Whitney Houston “I like being a woman, even in a man’s world. After all, men can’t wear dresses, but we can wear the pants. “
Silence definitely won’t save women in any situation they fear so much they feel compelled to remain so. It’s definitely a hard spot to be in though, and my heart grieves for those who feel destined to suffer instead of speaking out or creating positive change.
Happy Women’s Day. Yes gender equality is a must. I’m very thankful that in my country we treat our women with equally. Women though posses the most strongest intentions in life, fragile but has the strongest determination in life, especially mothers.
Your motivation Mondays are always great. We celebrated International Womens Day by helping to spread the education word and celebrating the women in our life!
It is so true what you said about stopping the petty bickering and learning to lift each other up. I worked in the corporate world for a while, and I was always surprised at the backstabbing among women. We need to support, not tear each other down.
Love how informational this is! I didn’t realize actual goals had been set to make things 50/50, but I’m glad that they have. I’m loving the pics of women from all over the world!
As such every day is Women’s day but this day is special and recognizes the immense contribution of females in everyone’s life. There are still lot of things still to be done to empower women.
What an awesome way to being a woman and share it to all our fellow women in the world. Race and color makes us very unique and special in our own way.
Yes I believe that women must speak up and stand up for our right. There are lots of talented and hard working women out there, we need to support each other.
Women are now getting more rights as compared in the past. I think the efforts of institutions and groups that are pro women and gender equality are paying off.
It’s a shame that gender inequality is still an issue for many countries, but I guess it’s not surprising when even in western cultures, disparities exist. Great article. Very informative.
I am one of a member of a GABRIELA SILANG movement here in the Philippines. We fight for women and children’s right and we help each other, especially those who are battered and oppressed.
Such a wonderful quote from Isabel Allende, that explains the truth of what Women are to this society, and how much they dedicate their lives to their children. I am all up for gender equality as well, thanks for inspiring.
Why have I never heard of International Women’s Day before?! I’ve been seeing posts about it all over social media this month! I checked out the website after reading your post and I really love what they are trying to do. Thanks for sharing!
Sad this still exits in parts of the world. I’ve read that here in America if you add up all of the hours worked women actually get paid more than men!
I noticed today that there are close gap for gender equality. Here in the Philippines we have lots of Female leaders in the Government and Private sector. Women are given the same opportunity as with men. Same treatment to education, health and security. We should celebrate it!
I think it’s very crucial to start them young. Giving access to education and health care for the girl children means empowering them to make better decisions and take action for a better future as the women of tomorrow who will have better lives in all those aspects where we see the gender gap now. Go girl power!
Happy International Women’s Day! We should fight for our rights and equality. And I hope the whole world will realize how important that is. Great post!
I didn’t realize International Women’s Day was coming up! Women and men definitely have to come together to fight for equality.
Happy Women’s Day! Cheers to an equal treatment and opportunities!
I love the concept of International Women’s Day and think it’s so important to remind women (and teach young girls) to support one another every day of the year!
I never heard of international woman’s day before. thanks for bringing it to my attention!
I like that saying if you want something done then ask a woman.
Certainly we must maintain a united front, it is the only way to gain, and even hold, our ground.
Fantastic timeline on the 50-50 website, lots of things i didn’t know.
Yes, Happy IWD2016! so much terrific information was curated and saved there. It is a terrific resource. 🙂
Here here! May we all work together to lift each other up. Support instead of pettiness. 🙂 Happy women’s day!
Happy International WOmen’s day to all women out there.
Happy International Women’s Day! Cheers to us!
Worth reading it. Gained so much information. Thanks for posting.
Thank you Nicole. Happy International Women’s Day! <3
I will have to take my pledge today! Gender equality is something near to my heart, and I am always looking for new ways to raise women up.
Good for you, kindred soul. Happy International Women’s Day! <3
I am all for gender equality. Great post!
So am I. Happy International Women’s Day! <3
what an amazing inspiring post we women are pretty amazing
I concur… we’ve come a long way and we have more to do. 🙂 Happy International Women’s Day! <3
Such a great day to celebrate! I’m going to go look up those hashtags on social media to see what else I can learn.
There’s a ton of great information out there so go for it! Happy International Women’s Day! <3
Love it! Motivation Monday seems like a terrific series, love that today is International Women’s Day!
Happy International Women’s Day! <3
Thank you for the history of International Women’s Day. I also love the quote by Margaret Thatcher! 🙂 Thanks for sharing
Thank you too! Happy International Women’s Day! <3
Wow so much information! I feel so ready to take on the world on a day like today. We should feel like that every day!
Great. Happy International Women’s Day to you! 🙂
Beautiful Margaret thatcher quote, happy international women’s day. Great post.
Happy International Women’s Day to you too! <3
This was fascinating to read! I had no idea it was International Women’s Day but the history was wonderful and I’m ready to celebrate!
Go for it and spread the word. 🙂
Wow! Lots of great information!
I did not realize this was a day. It was very interesting to read about. I can’t wait until the day we are equal.
It’s quite sad to see that although we live in the 21st century, there is still a huge gap in gender equality. I think we need to use days like International Women’s Day to raise a greater awareness about the issue.
Here’s to all of the strong women of the world!!
I hadn’t heard about the pledge of parity. Heading over now so that I can participate 🙂
I am not for gender equality but for fairness and respect for all. I pray for those in the men dominated countries in the middle east.
Yay for gender equality! you actually reminded me that it was national women’s day
Love it! What a great and inspiring motivation monday!
Very detailed information about Women’s International Day,
I think it is a great idea. Suppression and rejection bring resentment and outrage. God willing, enough outrage for more people to get on board and finally do something about it. Permanently.I hope I do
get to see this change in my lifetime!
This was such an informative read! I’m checking out the International Women’s Day website now. This is a very important topic and we really don’t hear much about it. Thanks for the info. 🙂
Such a motivating post to go through especially on the International Women’s Day. We all talk about Gender Equality. But, do you think, we really get a chance to follow it wholeheartedly in this male-chauvinist society?
This was amazing story especially video on Gender Equality. Thanks for remind me that it was a International Women Day celebrating our struggles and history.
Women should be treat with respect.
thank you for sharing this it was very insightful 😀
I get upset when I hear that women are the “weaker sex,” and get treated as such. I am and always be an advocate for gender equality. As the old cliche goes, “What men can do, Women can do better!”
I enjoyed International Women’s Day today. So many ways to celebrate and phenomenal causes going on. We can certainly move mountains if we truly stand together.
Cheers to women empowerment! Our celebration indeed.
That quote from Mrs. Thatcher is just amazing. Let’s celebrate each other and propel the world forward!
I didn’t know about International Women’s Day. I hope I can still celebrate today.
Its sad that still today a man will be paid higher for the same job than a woman. We need to value women better.
If only we all learned in high school that it was much more beneficial (and fun!) to support one another and boost each other up! Oh well, maybe that’s a lesson better learned later in life. So grateful for the wonderfully supportive community of women out there!
This is a beautiful and inspiring post to cheer up this wonderful day. Good to read this piece of information which I wasn’t aware of until now.
This is an inspiring post, it reminds me of my mum. She sacrifice for all of us.
We all have that one inspiring incredible woman in our lives.
Gender Equality is a global issue and with the advancement of technology and education, I hope that we may achieve this goal before 2030. Thanks for this wonderful post and Happy Women’s Day to you too! 🙂
Yay for gender equality! Thanks for a great post!
wow! to all the women out there, Happy International Women’s day!!!!
Excellent post! I gain some new information from it!
I actually celebrated IWD yesterday with an avent at marjks and Spencer, celebrating women everywhere, so I really love your post. It’s just so sad that equality is really more than just women’s rights, even more so in race, as well as other biases. What stood out to me for IWD is the IWD special I caught on National Geographic, where Malala Yousafzai shared how the world knows now that the extremists are afraid of a girl with a book. because they want to keep women uneducated.
Beautiful post!!! You should have a look at Vogue India’s awareness series of videos called Vogue Empower for gender equality…. You’ll like it!
What an awesome day to celebrate right ! I very rarely feel less than a man cause I k ow I’m not
I love the quote about silence not making things better. It’s so important to raise awareness and speak up for those who can’t!
It is hard to believe that it is already the 21st century yet gender equality is still not a reality in world society up to now. To think we all love our mothers.
I think gender equality is more prominent now. International Women’s Day is a chance to appreciate their importance and contribution.
Worth and great read! Learned so much infos! Glad you shared this.
i totally believe that women is fearles when protecting chilldren. Im a mum myself and always protective and trying to be there for my daughter everytime
That quote from Margaret Thatcher was so fun and true haha happy womens day!
Inspiring and informative post. We’ve come very far, but still lots of work to do before gender equality. Important issue. Thanks for the post.
This was so motivational thank you for writing this.
How did I miss this yesterday? I was happy to learn some new facts and celebrate International Women’s Day again this morning.
I think it’s great that there is a day to celebrate international women. This was a very interesting read.
That was a great read and I love your choice of pictures! Happy International Women’s Day! 🙂
What a fantastic post! Love Margaret Thatcher quote! So true. I would add just another great quote by Whitney Houston “I like being a woman, even in a man’s world. After all, men can’t wear dresses, but we can wear the pants. “
Silence definitely won’t save women in any situation they fear so much they feel compelled to remain so. It’s definitely a hard spot to be in though, and my heart grieves for those who feel destined to suffer instead of speaking out or creating positive change.
Happy Women’s Day. Yes gender equality is a must. I’m very thankful that in my country we treat our women with equally. Women though posses the most strongest intentions in life, fragile but has the strongest determination in life, especially mothers.
Your motivation Mondays are always great. We celebrated International Womens Day by helping to spread the education word and celebrating the women in our life!
I just wish that there was more to celebrate and that we never have to be afraid when we are walking on the street or wearing a dress.
It is so true what you said about stopping the petty bickering and learning to lift each other up. I worked in the corporate world for a while, and I was always surprised at the backstabbing among women. We need to support, not tear each other down.
Love how informational this is! I didn’t realize actual goals had been set to make things 50/50, but I’m glad that they have. I’m loving the pics of women from all over the world!
Great post, I think its silly that in this century we still don’t have gender equality although we have come a long way
This is the first year i have heard of IWD! It is wonderful how we have evolved, I had no idea the UN devotes a them every year. I Learned a lot today
Taking a pledge too! We should all celebrate it everyday and not just today 🙂 Love and respect to all women 100%. Cheers to this day!
Very inspired! I really loved this post and how your crafted it. You really added info that would open everyone’s eyes! Thank you!
Thanks for all the info. I’ve seen some really great stuff about International Women’s Day!
I didn’t realize there was a day when we could stand united in a more public way about this. Awesome!
It’s great to see so many women still being vocal on the topic-keeping and changing the ways of others on women equality
Some really good information, I love international women’s day! Go Women everywhere!
As such every day is Women’s day but this day is special and recognizes the immense contribution of females in everyone’s life. There are still lot of things still to be done to empower women.
What an awesome way to being a woman and share it to all our fellow women in the world. Race and color makes us very unique and special in our own way.
happy Womens Month to us. Women now has a voice and are more independent and brave to say whatever we want and do what we love
I saw this on FB and it is awesome to be a woman and enjoy life.
I loved doing research on this day. Thanks so much for sharing all this wonderful information/. Yes pledge!
Yay for Women power! Great motivational post
Yes I believe that women must speak up and stand up for our right. There are lots of talented and hard working women out there, we need to support each other.
Happy International women’s day. I love the good post
Women are now getting more rights as compared in the past. I think the efforts of institutions and groups that are pro women and gender equality are paying off.
I salute women all over the world who have been holding down the fort for years
What a great day to celebrate International Women’s Day.
Such a great day to celebrate! Happy womens day!!
It’s a shame that gender inequality is still an issue for many countries, but I guess it’s not surprising when even in western cultures, disparities exist. Great article. Very informative.
True.. it is a global problem and we need support on all sides.
I am one of a member of a GABRIELA SILANG movement here in the Philippines. We fight for women and children’s right and we help each other, especially those who are battered and oppressed.
Such a wonderful quote from Isabel Allende, that explains the truth of what Women are to this society, and how much they dedicate their lives to their children. I am all up for gender equality as well, thanks for inspiring.
TY! I feel the same way about it too. <3
I love that there is an international day for women. HAPPY INternational Women’s day!
Happy International Women’s Day! <3
I will pledge today! Love this message and of course international women’s day!
Unfortunately it is not a priority for every nation ! We must keep fighting for gender equality
Sad but true… <3
I think it’s wonderful that you mentioned this in a blog post. You’re the first person I heard bring it up and it is an important day.
Thank you Rosey! Glad you found the information helpful. <3
International Women’s Day is a great celebration. I must admit that I did not do anything special on Monday.
Gender equality is extremely important. Great post!
Thank you! Please take that pledge for parity. it is beneficial to all
It’s amazing how much of a gender gap there still is in so many areas. This is definitely an important issue to me.
Happy International Women’s day, you ladies are the light of the world!
Why have I never heard of International Women’s Day before?! I’ve been seeing posts about it all over social media this month! I checked out the website after reading your post and I really love what they are trying to do. Thanks for sharing!
Yay!! We always need to raise women up! Girl power to the max!!
I am all for gender equality. There are issues for both male and female that needs to be resolved in our lifetime.
Isn’t it a shame that we still have to have this conversation about equality where women are concerned. We have so far to go.
We sure do! Sad but true and necessary.
Such a beautiful post. I will take my pledge of parity today. 🙂
Agreeable that equality should work both ways instead of just one after all we need two hands to clap.
Happy International Women Day! Empowering Women!
Happy International Women’s Day to you 🙂 there is still a lot to be done about equality and rights of women.
Sad this still exits in parts of the world. I’ve read that here in America if you add up all of the hours worked women actually get paid more than men!
I am one proud woman and I am for equal rights. Happy international women’s day! 🙂
Gender Equality is something that we need. Thank you for the video- I learn something new every time I read your blog.
I noticed today that there are close gap for gender equality. Here in the Philippines we have lots of Female leaders in the Government and Private sector. Women are given the same opportunity as with men. Same treatment to education, health and security. We should celebrate it!
Men and Women are equally important to society. It is important to work together and be an equal team.
I think it’s very crucial to start them young. Giving access to education and health care for the girl children means empowering them to make better decisions and take action for a better future as the women of tomorrow who will have better lives in all those aspects where we see the gender gap now. Go girl power!
Happy International Women’s Day!! I am all for gender equality!
Happy Women’s Day! It was quick lesson for me about the event that celebrated by many.
Happy International Women’s Day! We should fight for our rights and equality. And I hope the whole world will realize how important that is. Great post!
Women are great individuals and should be honored like this.
Happy International Women’s Day!We indeed came a looong way. Here in the Philippines, recent laws have focused on empowering women.
Wonderful article! Thank you for sharing this motivational message..