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2017 International Women’s Day – Putting women and girls at the centre of all efforts
The world of work is changing, with significant implications for women. Achieving gender equality in the world of work is imperative for sustainable development, however, only 50 per cent of working age women are represented in the labour force globally, compared to 76 per cent of…
April 3, 2017 - Last update: February 10, 2023
The world of work is changing, with significant implications for women. Achieving gender equality in the world of work is imperative for sustainable development, however, only 50 per cent of working age women are represented in the labour force globally, compared to 76 per cent of men.
On 8 March 2017, people, organisations and nations around the world celebrated International Women’s Day. We know that women play a decisive role in the food security, health and nutrition of their families and this should be taken into account in the design and targeting of all food security and nutrition actions. The SUN Movement Strategy and Roadmap (2016-2020) recognises the key role of women, as actors and producers, in achieving food security and nutrition at the household and community level. Together, all stakeholders in the Movement are putting women and girls at the centre of all efforts.
We want to construct a different world of work for women. As they grow up, girls must be exposed to a broad range of careers, and encouraged to make choices that lead beyond the traditional service and care options to jobs in industry, art, public service, modern agriculture and science…”
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, UN Women Executive Director.
Read a blog from SUN Movement Coordinator, Gerda Verburg
Learn about celebrations to commemorate the day in SUN Countries
- Pakistan calls for more focus on improving women’s health to address maternal malnutrition
- Côte d’Ivoire celebrates International Women’s Day with a series of inspiring events
- Burkina Faso’s First Lady calls for action on International Women’s Day
- In Zimbabwe: The woman we want is bankable, business minded, brainy, beautiful, bold, blessed and balanced
- Kenya celebrates International Women’s Day with the First Lady and UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres
Global activities rallying support for women’s equality
- The United Nations 2017 theme for International Women’s Day focuses on “Women in the Changing World of Work: Planet 50-50 by 2030”.
- The International Womens Day website focuses their efforts towards a #BeBoldForChange campaign
- Joint statement of the European Union on the occasion of International Women’s Day 2017
- Message of Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, on International Women’s Day, 8 March 2017
- Message by UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka on International Women’s Day en | ar |fr |ru |es |zh
- “Interactive Dialogue on Women in the Changing World of Work: Planet 50-50 and the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030”, Bangkok, Thailand.
History
IWD has been celebrated since 1909 to commemorate the 1908 strike of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union. It evolved in many ways to celebrate women until 1977, when the United Nations General Assembly formally invited member states to proclaim March 8 as the UN Day for women’s rights and world peace. Since then, 8 March each year brings people together for celebration, reflection, advocacy, and commitment to action – at global and local levels – for women all over the world.
