PURPOSES: International Women’s Day observed on 8 March is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women, who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities. The world has made unprecedented advances, but no country has achieved gender equality.
FORUM: “Invest in women: Accelerate progress.” International Women's Day 2024. The world is facing many crises, ranging from geopolitical conflicts to soaring poverty levels and the escalating impacts of climate change. These challenges can only be addressed by solutions that empower women. By investing in women, we can spark change and speed the transition towards a healthier, safer, and more equal world for all. If current trends continue, more than 342 million women and girls could be living extreme poverty by 2030. To ensure women’s needs and priorities are considered, governments must prioritize gender-responsive financing and increase public spending on essential services and social protection. Policymakers must also value, recognize, and account for the vital contribution women make to economies worldwide through paid and unpaid care work. Women spend around three times more time on unpaid care work than men and if these activities were assigned a monetary value they would account for more than 40 per cent of GDP. Investing in women and championing gender equality turbocharges a future where everyone in society can thrive, creating a world of boundless opportunity and empowerment for all. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #8March, #InternationalWomensDay, #IWD2024, #Investinwomen, #accelerateprogress.
EVENTS: This March 8th; International Women’s Day 2024, join the United Nations in celebrating under the theme Invest in women: Accelerate progress. Tune in at 10 am ET to watch the live-stream on UN WEB TV. Only 61.4% of prime working age women are in the labour force compared to 90.6% of prime working age men. Most women’s employment is in the informal economy. We need to create decent work opportunities for all - Invest In Women and in care services. The event programme will accentuate the urgency of strategic investment and collaborative alliances, and commemorate achievements in advancing gender equality and women's empowerment. The Observance will reflect the theme of the day and will be opened by the United Nations Secretary-General. It will include statements from other high-level United Nations dignitaries and a panel discussion with women leaders in the United Nations. The observance will also include live musical performances by Rockers on Broadway and the UN International School Senior Choir. Get the IWD2024 Agenda programme!
Taking place at UNHQ in New York from March 11 to 22, 2024; The 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68) under the priority theme “Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective." and Review theme entitled ‘‘ Social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls (agreed conclusions of the sixty-third session)’‘; The Representatives of Member States, United Nations entities, and ECOSOC-accredited non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from all regions of the world are invited to contribute to the session.The Commission's two-weeks session includes the following activities (CSW68 Side events & Session outcomes). Explore Proposed Organization of Work; Read the Information about side events and activities organized outside the formal programme of the session. The outcome of the Commission’s consideration of the priority theme during its 68th session will take the form of agreed conclusions, to be negotiated by all Member States. Read the Zero draft agreed conclusions. The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women. A functional commission of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), it was established by Council resolution 11(II) of 21 June 1946. The CSW is instrumental in promoting women's rights, documenting the reality of women's lives throughout the world, and shaping global standards on gender equality and the empowerment of women. Register to participate to the CSW68!
STATEMENTS: Read the Secretary-General of the United Nations Statement on International Women’s Day 2024; March 8th. and the UNFPA Executive-Director Statement on International Women’s Day 2024; March 8th.
PODCASTS: Let’s speak about Why investing in women is a human rights issue and explore the ways to accelerate women’s economic empowerment. Listen to the audio-podcasts!
CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: .Join the 2024 Campaign under the theme Invest in women: Accelerate progress. Get started today by sharing visuals, messaging and more from our IWD social media package.
WHY WE CELEBRATE THE DAY?
HOW TO GET INVOLVED!
PARTNERSHIPS
The International Women's Day is celebrated annually on March 8 as a focal point in the women's rights movement, bringing attention to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women.
The observance of the Day has occurred for well over a century with the first gathering held in 1911.
Everyone, everywhere can play a part in helping forge gender equality. From a wide range of IWD campaigns, events, rallies, lobbying and performances - to festivals, parties, fun runs and celebrations - all IWD activity is valid. That's what makes IWD inclusive.
Celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
Educate and awareness raise for women's equality
Call for positive change advancing women
Lobby for accelerated gender parity
Fundraise for female-focused charities
Everyone everywhere can help forge women's equality. Collective action and collaborative support for forging women's equality matters, and all groups should be welcome to advance women's equality by whatever appropriate means they choose.
The International Women’s Day is Co-organized by the United Nations System; The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs; The UN WOMEN; The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO); The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), The Commission on the Status of Women; The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF); The International Labour Organization (ILO); The International Telecommunications Union (ITU); The Broadband Commission; The World Bank; The International Finance Corporation, Sustainable Stock Exchanges (SSE) Initiative; The UN Global Compact, and the World Federation of Exchanges. With the participation of International Organizations; The Civil Society Organizations; The Non-Governmental Organizations and several Women’s associations and communities.
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