MCWO mark International Women's Day, recalls historic achievements

In a statement, the MCWO said that International Women's Day is a day when “women across all continents, often divided by national boundaries and by ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic and political differences, come together to celebrate their day.”

The first National Woman's Day was observed in the United States on 28 February, 1909. The Socialist Party of America designated this day in honour of the 1908 garment workers’ strike in New York, where women protested against working conditions.

In 1910 an international women’s conference held in Copenhagen made a proposal for an International Women’s Day to be observed on any day each year to honour the women's rights movement and to build support for achieving universal suffrage. It was greeted with unanimous approval by over 100 women from 17 countries, the MCWO said.

The UN designated 1975 as “International Women’s Year’” for women’s organizations and governments around the world. In December 1977, the General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming a UN Day for Women's Rights and International Peace to be observed on any day of the year by Member States.

“The General Assembly thus recognized the role of women in peace efforts and development and urged an end to discrimination and an increase of support for women’s full and equal participation. 8 March was hence proclaimed International Women’s Day.”

“In 1979, the UN Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) came into force. Malta ratified the CEDAW in 1991. However, the Convention has not been transposed into Maltese legislation. Neither has Malta ratified the CEDAW Optional Protocol.”

On 24 February 2011, the MCWO said, the “UN celebrated the historic launch of ‘UN Women’, its newest organisation. Formally known as the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, ‘UN Women’ represents the UN’s most ambitious effort ever to accelerate actions to achieve gender equality. “

“International Women’s Day is not just about commemorating women’s struggles and achievements in the field of social equality, social justice, peace and development,” the MCWO said. “It is a day when women commemorate what they have done and evaluate what still needs to be done by looking ahead at the untapped potential and opportunities that await future generations of women.”

Within this context the MCWO, an affiliated member of the European Women’s Lobby(EWL) and representing 16 local organizations which collectively has 24,000 members, has been most vigorous over the past years in lobbying to improve the socio-economic structures that affect gender equality, it said.

“Particular attention has been given to the EU’s proposed Extension of Maternity Leave, more childcare facilities, after school activities, the elimination of all forms of violence against women (CEDAW) and cohabitation rights. The MCWO will continue to focus on priority areas that are fundamental to women’s equality and that can unlock progress across the board.”