INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
International Women’s Day draws women together in unity and friendship to commemorate past achievements and highlight current social, economic and political issues. It also provides the opportunity to develop networks and facilitate partnerships between women, organisations and the broader community.
International Women’s Day events aim to encourage community participation and promote diversity, while celebrating the contribution women make.
The first International Women’s Day was held on 19 March 1911 when more than a million women and men rallied for the right for women to vote, work and hold public office. The inspiration came from a New York march in 1908 against poor working conditions and child labour.
The colours for International Women’s Day of white, purple and green were the political colours of the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU), the group responsible for the 1908 demonstration in New York. Symbolically, white represented purity, purple was for dignity and self-respect, and green stood for hope and new life.
The official date of March 8 was set in 1917, commemorating a strike by Russian women, which resulted in their right to vote.
In Australia, the first International Women’s Day was held on 25 March 1928, with peace, human rights, social, economic and political issues providing focus for discussion.
In WA the first International Women’s Day was on 13 March 1936 and included speeches by prominent men and women of the time. From its inception, this day has stood for equality.