I am woman, hear me roar!

"I am woman, hear me roar" are the first lyrics of Helen Reddy`s song, which became a popular anthem for Second-wave feminism in the 1960s.

International Woman`s Day celebrates equality and the fight of women through the decades to obtain and maintain that equal standing.

The reason why there is so much emphasis on a day to celebrate woman is because historically we have been seen as the inferior sex and unfortunately even today there are countries and cultures which still practice this primitive bias.

---- I`m side stepping here but can`t help think of this song:  `Sister Suffragette` from Mary Poppins.

From the 1900s women`s movements began to gain real momentum and International Women`s Day (IWD) was first observed across the USA on 28 February 1909 as part of a declaration signed by the Socialist Party of America.

In 1913, it was agreed that IWD would be celebrated across the globe on the same day- 8 March. 

One of the most powerful woman`s movements was in 1917, when Russia woman led a strike calling for `bread and peace`. This strike lasted four days and is a significant part of the February Revolution which ended with the abdication of Czar Nicholas II.

The UN signed a Charter in 1945, declaring support for equality. Article 1 of this Charter is “To achieve international co-operation … in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion."

Additionally, each year the UN comes up with a `theme` to address problems still facing women, for example: In 2012 the theme was `Empower Rural Women - End Poverty and Hunger.` 

This years theme is `A Promise is a Promise: Time for Action to end Violence Against Women` - you can have a look at the proposal here. 

2012, NYC

Gloria Steinem, one of the most well-known advocates for women`s rights said: “A feminist is anyone who recognizes the equality and full humanity of women and men.” 

In that case, it could be argued that Plato was one of the earliest feminists to speak out. In fact this argument is still of great debate today.

"Nothing can be more absurd than the practice that prevails in our country of men and women not following the same pursuits with all their strengths and with one mind, for thus, the state instead of being whole is reduced to half." (Plato)