MoldovAnn

In case you missed, March 8 was International Women’s Day. Congratulations to all the wonderful women in the world!

We had a great weekend. After a good workout at the gym on Saturday, followed by the usual sauna bake, Igor had ordered massages for us. Oooo, it was so exactly what I needed. We finally found the masseuse that we both like a lot, and he worked out nearly all the kinks in my back and shoulders that have been plaguing me for some time now. Saturday night was a lovely evening at the Canadian Embassy – a French wine and cheese tasting with the owner of a local French wine boutique. We were introduced to some very nice wines, and the chocolate mousse (an unexpected treat) was to die for. We had some serious sugar buzzes going.

A bit about International Women’s Day, excerpted from www.internationalwomensday.com.

The very first International Women’s Day was launched on 19 March (not 8 March) 1911. Plans for the first International Women’s Day demonstration were spread by word of mouth and in the press. Success of the first International Women’s Day in 1911 exceeded all expectation.

Meetings were organized everywhere in small towns and even the villages halls were packed so full that male workers were asked to give up their places for women. Men stayed at home with their children for a change, and their wives, the captive housewives, went to meetings.

In 1913 International Women’s Day was transferred to 8 March and this day has remained the global date for International Women’s Day ever since. IWD is now an official holiday in China, Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. The tradition sees men honoring their mothers, wives, girlfriends, colleagues, etc. with flowers and small gifts.

The new millennium has witnessed a significant change in both women’s and society’s thoughts about women’s equality and emancipation. Many from a younger generation feel that “all the battles have been won for women” while many feminists from the 1970’s know only too well the longevity and ingrained complexity of patriarchy. With more women in the boardroom, greater equality in legislative rights, and an increased critical mass of women’s visibility as impressive role models in every aspect of life, one could think that women have gained true equality. The unfortunate fact is that women are still not paid equally to that of their male counterparts, women still are not present in equal numbers in business or politics, and globally women’s education, health and the violence against them is worse than that of men.

However, great improvements have been made. We do have female astronauts and prime ministers, school girls are welcomed into
university, women can work and have a family, women have real choices. And so the tone and nature of IWD has, for the past few years, moved from being a reminder about the negatives to a celebration of the positives.

Annually on 8 March, thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate achievements. A global web of rich and diverse local activity connects women from all around the world ranging from political rallies, business conferences, government activities and networking events through to local women’s craft markets, theatric performances, fashion parades and more.