“Human rights are women’s rights and women’s rights are human rights, once and for all.”–Hilary Clinton

March 8 is International Women’s Day (IWD), and all over the world, nations, organizations, and companies are honoring women and women’s rights. The fight for gender equality has certainly come a long way since 1908, when 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding better work benefits and voting rights.

According to InternationalWomensDay.com, “Women's oppression and inequality was spurring women to become more vocal and active in campaigning for change.”

And change did come. According to the United Nations (UN), the first National Women’s Day was celebrated in the US in 1909. Just a few years later, countries like Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland followed suit. In 1975, the UN formally decreed March 8 as IWD. That same year, the first world conference for women was held in Mexico. Over the years, more and more organizations representing women’s rights have started springing up, and laws protecting women from sexual harassment and domestic violence are continuously being enacted.

As long as there is gender inequality and discrimination, women will continue to fight for their rights. You, too, can do your part. Celebrate International Women's Day today!

(Photo by Jeannie Fletcher via Flickr Creative Commons)