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CONVERGENCE MAR-APR2017

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Chronicles<br />

INTERNATIONAL<br />

WOMEN'S DAY<br />

<strong>MAR</strong>CH 08<br />

Turning<br />

Back Time<br />

WILL YOU #BE BOLD FOR CHANGE?<br />

In 1910, German activist Clara Zetkin<br />

had a vision. It was to create a day<br />

specifically dedicated to women all<br />

around the world.<br />

A former Leader of the Women's Office<br />

for Germany's Social Democratic Party,<br />

she tabled the idea at a conference and<br />

proposed that every year in every<br />

country there should be a celebration<br />

on the same day-a Women's Day-to<br />

press for their demands. The rest they<br />

say, is history.<br />

Today, International Women's Day is<br />

a global day celebrating the social,<br />

economic, cultural and political<br />

achievements of women and is a day<br />

dedicated towards accelerating<br />

gender parity.<br />

This year, the 2017 theme is 'Be Bold<br />

For Change'. According to the<br />

International Women's Day (IWD)<br />

organisation, "Every person women,<br />

men and non-binary people can play a<br />

part in helping drive to better outcomes<br />

for women. Through meaningful<br />

celebration and targeted bold action,<br />

we can all be responsive and responsible<br />

leaders in creating a more gender<br />

inclusive world. The World Economic<br />

Forum predicts the gender gap won't<br />

close entirely until 2186. This is too long<br />

to wait. So around the world,<br />

International Women's Day provides an<br />

important opportunity for ground<br />

breaking action that can truly drive<br />

greater change for women."<br />

As such, IWD believes that change is<br />

imminent if each and every person<br />

declared bold actions one would take<br />

as an individual or organisation to help<br />

progress the gender agenda. This<br />

could range from supporting the cause<br />

by sharing it on social media channels<br />

to hosting your own IWD event and<br />

having proactive discussions regarding<br />

issues concerning women in your<br />

neighbourhood.<br />

If you're looking for more ideas on<br />

how to be a part of this, visit<br />

www.internationalwomensday.com<br />

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