The first day of March, 2021 marked the beginning of Women’s History Month. This year the month is more significant because all the centennial celebrations that mark the women’s suffrage were curtailed or cancelled in the year 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, the month is being observed under the theme: “Valiant Women of the Vote: Refusing to Be Silenced”.
Women’s History Month
It is an annual declared month which is celebrated to highlight the contributions of women in the events of history and the contemporary society. The month is celebrated in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia in the month of March which also corresponds with International Women’s Day which is observed on March 8.
Background
The countries started commemorating the week in the year 1978. The commemoration first started in Sonoma County, California. Then, it was championed by Gerda Lerner.
Why this month is significant in 2021?
The year 2020 was marked by the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. Amid the pandemic, the women faced the challenges of Inequalities ranging from the pay disparity to the domestic threat. The statistics show that, women make only 77 cents for every dollar a man earn. The statistics also shows that, one in every three women will be vulnerable to the gender violence in her lifetime. Thus, this month is being observed to fight, protect and support women. The month will also be “celebrating women”.
International Women’s Day
This day is observed on March 8 all across the world. The day is a focal point of the movement for women’s rights. The proposal to mark a special women day was put by German delegates after the Socialist Party of America celebrated Women’s Day in New York City on in 1909. The women gained suffrage in Soviet Russia in 1917. To mark this, March 8 became a national holiday there. Later, in 1977, the United Nations started celebrating this day.