The Women’s History Month is an annual declared month that celebrates the contributions of women to many social changes and events in the history and modern-day society. It is commemorated during the month of March in many countries, such as the United States and the United Kingdom. The celebration corresponds to the International Women’s Day which is observed every year on March 8.
Initially, the March 8th was proclaimed by United Nations Organization (UN) as the UN Day for women’s rights and world peace. Over time, it is then acknowledged as the International Women’s Day to celebrate women’s achievements in social, economic, cultural and political affairs. Today it also marks a call to action for accelerating equality for women around the world.
In several countries, the International Women’s Day (IWD) is acknowledged as a national holiday, such as in Vietnam, China, Russia, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Cuba, Laos, Nepal, Ukraine, Zambia, and Uzbekistan.
Dao Nguyen, Pitt student and IISE Program Coordinator, originally from Vietnam, recalls how the IWD has become a social and cultural celebration in her country.
“On this day, men as sons, brothers, husbands, and employers/employees usually give gifts, flowers, and treat meals to their mothers, sisters, wives, and female colleagues. They do all kinds of things to make women in their families and at work feel enjoyable on this day. They spiritually celebrate it as a SPECIAL DAY for women.”
Nguyen is a PhD student in Higher Education Management Program, School of Education, majoring in Gender-Sexuality and Women Studies. Nguyen was part of the Standing Committee for Women Advancement organization, where she participated in the women’s empowerment movement in Vietnam and beyond.
“Politically, the national and local Women’s Associations hold big meetings to review history of international and national women’s movements, to share on-going efforts in promoting gender equality, especially for women and girls, and to call for collaborative actions of authorities and organizations for this endeavor. The central and local governments, and organizations rather than Women’s Associations also take this occasion to extend their recognition for women’s contribution and achievements for well-being of their families, organizations, and society.”
Generation Equality in Women’s Leadership
The celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD) goes back to a series of women movements started in the early 20th century in some parts of Europe and Russia. The movements demanded women’s rights to vote and hold public office and fought against sex discrimination at work.
The 2020 International Women’s Day (IWD) brings up a theme of “I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights”. This theme responds to the UN Women’s new multigenerational campaign of Generation Equality to observe the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action - the most progressive roadmap for women and girl empowerment.
Nguyen illustrates the importance of such theme to improve women’s equal participations in public sectors, which resonates to her current study in women’s leadership.
“Many studies have pointed out that women’s equal participation in leadership positions benefits more than just the individual. For example, women representation in public administration helps address important gendered issues affecting families, societies, economies, and entire countries more effectively. Public administration is at the foundation of government and plays an integral part in making national policies and programs in national pursuit of justice, equality, and non-discrimination. If public administration in a nation can lead the way in removing gender-based barriers, it will serve as a working example for the rest of the world. In the same way, if women are in leading positions in the academy, they have more opportunities to better facilitate other women to overcome challenges (visible and invisible) at work and in family on their journey of empowering themselves.”
Dao Nguyen can be reached at dao.ng@pitt.edu