International Women’s Day is celebrated every year on March 8, all over the world.
As a rule, there is a tendency to offer flowers or some kind of different experience for this day, which is fine, of course.
However, this date is not an excuse to receive colorful bouquets, but rather a reminder of women’s struggles.
Around here, we’ve already highlighted some illustrious Portuguese women whose journey deserves to be celebrated.
However, this article has a different objective: we want to explain the origins of International Women’s Day, taking a brief look back through history to the present day.
Shall we “discover” some curiosities?
1 – The beginnings of labor struggles
The 20th century was fundamental in terms of women’s struggles. However, we mustn’t forget to mention the importance of the 19th century, at a time when the Industrial Revolution was changing the face of the “modern” world forever.
In the United States of America (USA), there were several episodes of protests by women demanding shorter working hours and equal rights for both genders.
New York City was one of the main epicenters in this “battle” against precariousness.
Inspired by previous movements, in 1908 a group of New York women workers went on strike, demanding an end to child labor and the right to vote. A year later, the United States pioneered National Women’s Day on February 28.
2 – The Russian workers’ revolution
It is believed that March 8 was chosen because it was on this day that Russian women workers protested for better living conditions in 1917.
In all, more than 90,000 women workers marched in what became known as the “Bread and Peace” demonstration at the start of the revolution.
3 – Creation of International Women’s Day by the UN
The struggle and spirit of resilience throughout history led the United Nations (UN) to elect March 8 as International Women’s Day in 1975.
However, according to the Jacques Delors European Information Centre, it wasn ‘t until December 1977 that the date was officially recognized by the UN General Assembly, through Resolution 32/142.
4 – Every year the UN chooses a special theme
Since 1996, the UN has given International Women’s Day a special theme. For 2024, the theme chosen is “Invest in women: Accelerate progress “ .
According to the Jacques Delors European Information Center:
Currently, 37% of women do not use the Internet. 259 million women have less access to the Internet than men, despite representing almost half of the world’s population.”
5 – A look at Portugal
Like other countries, Portuguese women have also had to fight for their rights. It was a long road, especially considering the role of women during the Estado Novo regime.
In the 1930s, women could only work with the permission of their husband, who was considered the “head of the family”. In the 1960s, women were given the right to vote, a scenario that excluded all those who were illiterate.
Then, with the revolution of April 1974, came greater equality for all citizens in the eyes of the law.
Another important note is that, since 2007, abortion has been legal in Portugal up to ten weeks.
6 – Wage differentials
Although we have come a long way, there are still aspects to improve. For example, Portuguese women are currently still paid less than men.
These figures, quoted by RTP, were put forward by the CGTP, which also adds that it is among the most qualified workers that the wage gap is most noticeable.
The differential is greater in percentage terms: 24.5% among senior managers, 14% among middle managers and 16.5% among highly qualified professionals,” reads the same source.
What women would most like to receive on Women’s Day, according to our readers