Why Celebrate Women's Day

My dearest friends,

In case you did not know, tomorrow we celebrate the International Women's Day. The 8th of March is yet another opportunity to tell the women around you how important and precious they are to you. This days roots come from the early 1900s when the inequality between sexes was more than obvious :/ and women started fighting for their rights and campaigning for the change that was truly needed. The very first National Women's Day was rather a political event, and it took place in the USA on 28 February, at the initiative of the Socialist Party of America. Women continued to celebrate National Woman's Day on the last Sunday of February until 1913. In the International Conference of Working Women held in Copenhagen, leader of the Women's Office for the Social Democratic Party in Germany- Clara Zetkin suggested the idea of an International Women's Day. Her ideas was received with unanimous approval and thus International Women's Day was born. International Women's Day was celebrated the first time in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland on 19 March.

International Women's Day is now an official holiday in Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, China (for women only), Cuba, Georgia, Guinea-Bissau, Eritrea, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Madagascar (for women only), Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Nepal (for women only), Poland, Romania, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Zambia. The tradition sees men honouring their mothers, wives, girlfriends, colleagues, etc with flowers and small gifts. In some countries it has the same status as of Mother's Day where children give small presents to their mothers and grandmothers.

But woman's day should not be just that... one day in the year when you pay your respects to the women you care/love. I believe women's day should be celebrated everyday, just like I believe that we should celebrate Valentine's Day/Dragobete everyday. I don't believe you need a certain day in the year when you would tell your loved ones that you care and that they make your life better. I think we are unaccustomed of saying "I love you!" from the bottom of our hearts, sincerely, anymore... it became a custom and we sometimes do not really think and feel the things we speak out loud. Now it would be lovely if you could take a few moments and think about that. When was the last time you told someone how much they mean to you? Now think about your mother, the one who gave you life, took care of you and raised you into whom you are now... should you not thank her everyday for all that she has done for you? Do you need a special day to remind you of that? 

Here are just a few reasons why you should celebrate Women's Day:

• Because there are so many wonderful and talented women out there, that made the world we live in what it is today. Take for example the Free Walking Tour Krakow - Walking Special about The Women in Kraków: I never knew so many wonderful stories about strong and powerful women could be found here! Just as a short example: Marie Skłodowska-Curie that was the only women who received 2 Nobel prize awards!
• It's a good moment to show how gender equality is NOT the same all over the world. Take for example the revealing movie Suffragette (2015). I love the final touch of the end credit roll with the history of the countries that have right to vote to women... that still does not happen all over the globe!
• It's a good moment to raise awareness and maybe get yourself involved into volunteering about the cause of women's rights. Even being a part of HeForShe UN campaign would be a start ;) and don't forget: sharing is caring and social media can help make an impact!
• Women are an important pillar of the society. Women are mothers, sisters, daughters... without women the society would not exist. The basic function of procreation comes within us! We give birth to life, to the future generation! Celebrating women = celebrating life!
• Because women deserve to feel good about themselves and their role in the world/society/workplace/home. They deserve a break! Women are emotional human being, soft and yielding and dreamy and at the same time capable of greatness. Sometimes they need a recharge, so today it's a good moment to help them relax and unwind ;) be kind and loving to them!

In Poland is extremely customary to go out and see men buying women flowers, no matter if it's 8th of March of not. I believe men in Poland still retain that gentleman like fashion of old times when the men were acting more chivalrous towards women. Don't be surprised if you go today or morrow to the florist and you see huge lines of men waiting patiently in line to buy flowers - it is a normal sight ;) In Romania especially children make this day special as it is even more considered as a Mother's Day (rather than Women's Day). The typical flowers that are given are spring flowers: daffodils and so on. So I encourage you to be nice (at least today) to the women in your life, and buy them flowers. Don't forget to tell them how much they mean to you. I would love to hear how you celebrate the 8th of March, so feel free to drop by your comment :) 

Yours sincerely,
The Twisted Red LadyBug that celebrates Women everyday!