What Do Women Celebrate on March 8

March 8 is the International Women's Day. It means that women all over the world from Alaska to Zambia celebrate the rights they have gained since women rights were acknowledged in the 1900s. Int'l. Women's Day was celebrated in Copenhagen in March 8, 1911. United States had its Women Rights Day in Feb. 28, 1908. On March 8, 2011, it will be a 100- year global celebration of women's achievement in all fields of endeavor. One hundred years of a hard and difficult struggle for recognition and equality before the law and in relationship to mankind.

It seems ages ago when women were considered properties of men, to be treated and disposed of according to the whims of the owner. Today, women even in closed patriarchal societies have found ways to liberate themselves from the bondage of old - age tradition. It is undeniable that much progress have been achieved in equalizing opportunities for women advancement in society. There are women leaders in politics, business and industry as well as in all spheres of the labor market, which were primarily men's domain before.

Tradition and religion have been obstacles to the progress of women rights. There are still societies where women are compelled by both strong influences, to straddle between traditionalism and modernism. Many who dare break away from their enslavement are penalized not just with social ostracism but even death. The fact remains that despite all the gains achieved in the recognition of the rights of women, there are still millions who are hostage to the traditions of the past.

Even in countries like Sweden were gender equality is an important political platform, women are discriminated in various ways. Women are targets of media stereotypes, of sexism in certain workplaces and immigrant women in particular, face greater difficulties in the labor market. Be it discrimination or gender prejudice, women are still a few steps behind men in many things that make life worth striving for.

Since March 8 is an International Women's Day celebration, it is worthwhile to ponder and ask how in our own individual and personal struggles, we have contributed to the globalisation of the rights of women. We can think global but act local.