“I am Generation Equality - Realizing Women’s Rights.” – A Special Focus on The Theme Issued by UN Women for Celebration of International Women’s Day 2020.- Dr Sukanta Mishra, North Orissa University.

“I am Generation Equality -
Realizing Women’s Rights.”

– A Special Focus on

The Theme Issued by
UN Women for Celebration of
International Women’s Day

2020.

Dr. Sukanta Mishra

(Doctorate in Commerce & Management)

Department of Business Administration,
North Orissa University | Baripada | India.

"I AM GENERATION EQUALITY: REALIZING WOMEN’S RIGHTS”

International Women's Day 2020 Campaign Theme #EachforEqual

INTRODUCTION

The International Women's Day theme for 2020 is # EachforEqual, which reminds
everyone that it’s on each of us to help create a gender equal world. Last year, the
International Women’s Day 2019 theme was #BalanceforBetter, focusing on the
importance of achieving a gender-balanced world. In 2018, the theme of International
Women’s Day was #PressforProgress, the 2017 Women’s Day theme was
#BeBoldforChange, and the 2016 theme was #PledgeforParity.

UN Women also issued a 2020 theme: “I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s
Rights.” UN Women has a new multigenerational campaign for pursuing equality called
Generation Equality. According to the World Economic Forum’s 2017 Global Gender
Gap report, gender parity won’t happen for more than 200 years, so the global
International Women’s Day campaign has its sights set on lowering that number by
focusing on calls-to-action year round. International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8th
provides an important opportunity to celebrate women’s achievements while calling for
greater gender equality.

The global theme this year is “#EachforEqual: An EQUAL World is an ENABLED
World” and events will be taking place worldwide throughout March 2020.

SIGNIFICANCE

International Women’s Day (IWD) is held throughout the world on 8 March to celebrate
the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day has
occurred for well over a century, with the first IWD gathering in 1911. The day is not
country, group or organization specific - and belongs to all groups collectively
everywhere. It is a day to highlight the great progress we have made towards gender
equality. It is also a day to recognize what still needs to be done and to create awareness
about how we can play our part in making change for better. There are many ways that
individuals, groups and organizations can get involved in International Women’s Day
2020 and share the message that gender equality and diversity benefits us all—families,
organizations, communities and the state.

No one government, NGO, charity, corporation, academic institution, women's network
or media hub is solely responsible for International Women's Day. Many organizations
declare an annual IWD theme that supports their specific agenda or cause, and some of
these are adopted more widely with relevance than others.

International Women's Day is a collective day of global celebration and a call for gender
parity. International Women's Day is all about unity, celebration, reflection, advocacy
and action - whatever that looks like globally at a local level. But one thing is for sure,

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International Women's Day has been occurring for well over a century - and continues to
grow from strength to strength.

Together, across all generations, we can make the World, a place where every
girl has the opportunity to fulfil her potential. Every generation can make a difference,
#GenerationEquality

GLOBAL FOCUS ON THE THEME #EachforEqual

On 2 July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously voted to create a
single UN body tasked with accelerating progress in achieving gender equality and
women’s empowerment. The new UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment
of Women – or UN Women – merged four of the world body’s agencies and offices: the
UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), the Division for the Advancement of
Women (DAW), the Office of the Special Adviser on Gender Issues, and the UN
International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women. The
Progress and Sustainable Developmental Goals are as follows:

 GENDER EQUALITY

The United Nations is now focusing its global development work on the recently-
developed 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Women have a critical role to
play in all of the SDGs, with many targets specifically recognizing women’s equality and
empowerment as both the objective, and as part of the solution.

"Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls" is known as the stand-alone
gender goal, because it is dedicated to achieving these ends. Deep legal and legislative
changes are needed to ensure women’s rights around the world. Women’s rights are the
fundamental human rights that were enshrined by the United Nations for every human
being on the planet nearly 70 years ago. These rights include:

 the right to live;
 free from violence, slavery, and discrimination;
 the right to be educated;
 the right to own property;
 the right to vote; and
 the right to earn a fair and equal wage.

As the now-famous saying goes, “women’s rights are human rights.” That is to say,
women are entitled to all of these rights. Yet almost everywhere around the world,
women and girls are still denied them, often simply because of their gender.

Winning rights for women is about more than giving opportunities to any individual
woman or girl; it is also about changing how countries and communities work. It involves
changing laws and policies, winning hearts and minds, and investing in strong women’s
organizations and movements.

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Global Fund for Women exists to support the tireless and courageous efforts of women’s
groups who work every day to win rights for women and girls. These groups are working
to ensure women can own property, vote, run for office, get paid fair wages, and live free
from violence – including domestic violence, sexual assault, and harmful practices such
as female genital mutilation.

A. Women’s Rights

We want every woman and girl to realize the rights that are enshrined in the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights. We also stand for other rights that are vital for women’s
equality. We stand for a woman’s right to decide if and when she has children, and to
have high-quality health care that means she won’t die in pregnancy or during childbirth.
We know female genital mutilation is a violation of girls’ rights, and must be eliminated.
And we stand for the right of every woman to live equally and free from discrimination,
no matter her sexuality or identity.

We support two critical documents for women’s rights that have followed the UN
declaration. The Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against
Women (CEDAW), an international bill of rights for women, requires governments to
end gender discrimination and affirms women’s rights to health services, including
family planning. The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, adopted in 1995 at
the UN’s Fourth World Conference in Beijing, was a rallying cry to embed gender
equality and women’s rights in every facet of life.

B. Women’s Rights and the Global Goals

The UN Millennium Development Goals set specific targets to reduce poverty, including
targets for increased gender equality in education, work, and representation. UN Women
found that progress was uneven. Globally, more women are now in school and work. Yet
girls are still more likely than boys to be out of school (particularly at the secondary
level). And although the number of women in elected office has risen, they are still only
21.8 percent of parliamentarians. What’s more, women’s rights remain at risk in many
areas not addressed in the millennium goals – from violence against women to sexual
and reproductive rights. And women who are already marginalized because of their race,
caste, sexuality, income, or location see the fewest gains of all.

The new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) hold real promise to embed advances
in women’s rights, and include a specific goal (Goal 5) for gender equality. Goal 5 is
more broad-based than the last gender goal and includes targets on ending gender-based
violence, eliminating child marriage and female genital mutilation, and ensuring access
to sexual and reproductive health. It also includes equal access to education, expanding
women’s economic opportunities, and reducing the burdens of unpaid care work on
women and girls. Now it is up to all of us to hold governments accountable for their
commitments and make sure the goals are met. Involving women – and funding the
solutions of grass-roots women’s groups – will be critical to success.

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C. The Future of Women’s Rights

The future of global women’s rights is at stake. The U.S. administration’s proposed cuts
to foreign aid and stringent policies—from abortion and refugee resettlement to climate
change— pose a direct threat to the health, dignity, and well-being of women and girls
everywhere. We must reflect: Will women globally lose hard-won rights, or will the
backlash instead catalyze new wins?

This moment calls for energizing new efforts and focus on strengthening women’s
movements to help lead the charge for social change on the most pressing issues of our
time. Global Fund for Women is committed to turning these challenges into opportunities
for women to assert their leadership, action, and voice.

By 2020, Global Fund for Women will ensure that movements for women’s rights are
powerful, influential, and achieving lasting gains. Now is the time to stand with the
global women’s movement. Global Fund for Women is working for a world where every
woman and girl can realize and enjoy her human rights.

 Only when women and girls have full access to their rights – from equal pay and
land ownership rights to sexual rights, freedom from violence, access to
education, and maternal health rights –true equality will exist.

 Only when women have taken leadership and peacemaking roles and have an
equal political voice - economies and countries will be transformed.

 And only then all women and girls will have the self-determination, they are
entitled to.

 GENDER-INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE

Given the key role that language plays in shaping cultural and social attitudes, using
gender-inclusive language is a powerful way to promote gender equality and eradicate
gender bias. Being inclusive from a gender language perspective means speaking and
writing in a way that does not discriminate against a particular sex, social gender or
gender identity, and does not perpetuate gender stereotypes. These Guidelines include
recommendations and materials, created to help United Nations staff use gender-
inclusive language in any type of communication - oral or written, formal or informal -
and are a useful starting point for anyone.

 ELIMINATING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

The UN system continues to give particular attention to the issue of violence against
women. The 1993 General Assembly Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against
Women contained “a clear and comprehensive definition of violence against women and
a clear statement of the rights to be applied to ensure the elimination of violence against
women in all its forms”. It represented “a commitment by States in respect of their
responsibilities, and a commitment by the international community at large to the
elimination of violence against women”.

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Violence against women is a pandemic affecting all countries, even those that have made
laudable progress in other areas. Worldwide, 35 per cent of women have experienced
either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence.

In September 2017, the European Union and the United Nations joined forces to launch
the Spotlight Initiative, a global, multi-year initiative that focuses on eliminating all
forms of violence against women and girls. The International Day for the Elimination of
Violence against Women is observed on 25 November.

VALUES ~ That Drives Action for the Theme #EachforEqual

International Women's Day means different things to different people, but the global
focus on equality and celebration is clear. Throughout ancient and modern history,
women have collaborated and lead purposeful action to redress inequality in the hope of
a better future for their communities, children and themselves. Whether through bold
well-documented action or through humble resistance that never made it into the history
books, women have united for equality and achievement forever.

And along the way, one particularly powerful collaboration lead to the formation of a
globally united moment for women across countries to come together in hope and action.
That moment is "International Women's Day". Started in the early 1900's, the almighty
and tenacious Suffragettes forged purposeful action for equality. It was the Suffragettes
who started International Women's Day, with the first officially named "lnternational
Women's Day" event held in 1911.

And still to this day, International Women's Day continues to be a powerful platform
globally that unifies tenacity and drives action for gender parity, while celebrating the
social, cultural, economic and political achievements of women. Values that guide
International Women's Day provide direction for the type of action, behaviour and ethos
associated with this critical and globally-supported day. Ten values that guide
International Women's Day are:

 Justice  Tenacity
 Dignity  Appreciation
 Hope  Respect
 Equality  Empathy
 Collaboration  Forgiveness

As modern day Suffragettes - female, male and all genders - let us continue the work and
spirit of the almighty Suffragettes, fighting the good fight. And let us recognize, honor
and celebrate the important and impressive achievements of women globally.

 JUSTICE

While the concept of justice may differ across cultures, the notion of justice is based on
respect and equality amongst people. The Suffragettes toiled unreservedly for justice,
dignity and hope. Justice means being afforded the same equal rights and opportunities
as men. Today through International Women's Day, the call for justice across the world
still prevails as women seek equal treatment, conditions and opportunities to that of men.

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 DIGNITY

A leading organization campaigning for Women's suffrage in the United Kingdom, the
Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) that existed from 1903 - 1917 with
membership and policies tightly controlled by Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters
Christabel and Sylvia, adopted from 1908 the colour purple to symbolize dignity.
Dignity, as a value, refers to the idea that all people have the right to be valued, respected
and receive ethical treatment. The word is derived from Latin dignities meaning
worthiness.

 HOPE

Hope is the feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen. The
Suffragettes campaigned tirelessly for a better world, one where they trusted that women
would receive equal rights and opportunities. The Suffragettes symbolized the value of
hope with the colour green. The Suffragette colours were used on banners, flags, rosettes
and badges.

 EQUALITY

Equality means ensuring all people have equal opportunities to make the most of their
lives and talents, and that no one has poorer life chances due to their background or status
- the very core of International Women's Day. Gender equality refers to women receiving
and accessing the same opportunities and benefits as men - but throughout history,
women were deemed to have no place in politics. They couldn't stand as candidates for
Parliament and they weren't allowed to vote as it was assumed husbands would take
responsibility for political matters because a woman's role was seen to be child-rearing
and taking care of the home.

 COLLABORATION

Just as Suffragettes rallied together, as did the earlier Suffragists, so too do modern day
women (and men) who understand that there is power in unity. Strength in numbers and
voice are critical in driving change. International Women's Day was founded on
collaboration, and continues to be a key element of its power to this day. Across the world
individuals and groups unite, not only to celebrate the achievements of women, but to
continue to call for action supporting greater gender parity.

 TENACITY

Tenacity was a key principle of both the Suffragists and the Suffragettes, and their tireless
effort in fighting the good fight changed history. "Deeds not words" was the Suffragettes'
motto and they devoted considerable attention and effort to forging the rights of women.
Around the world today, as in the past, exists an extensive number of groups and
networks all working to improve the social, economic, cultural and political status of
women - and International Women's Day is the major day for rallying action, driving
visibility and applauding women who make a difference through their achievements.

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 APPRECIATION

International Women's Day provides a specific and designated moment each year to
identify and celebrate the successful achievements of women. Through celebrating
success, populations not only become more appreciative of the role women play in
contributing to society but awareness and expectation is increased that women will not
be marginalized, discriminated against or absent from future successes moving forward.

 RESPECT

Equality can only be achieved if the diversity, differences and qualities of women are
truly valued. Respect for others is a key value underpinning the ethos and agenda of
International Women's Day. Respect for others and respect for self-play an important
part in forging gender equality.

 EMPATHY

Seeking to understand others, caring for and valuing diversity, and appreciating
difference are key to forging deep relationships to affect change. It's through the ability
to understand and share the feelings of others that differing situations and perspectives
can be grasped. International Women's Day calls for global understandings about the
plight of women - the challenges faced, obstacles endured and changes desired for an
inclusive and progressive world.

 FORGIVENESS

Throughout history women have been mistreated - and still to this day women suffer
harsh and inhumane treatment through to continuing discrimination in the workplace.
Focusing attention and effort on the way forward, reconciling discrimination through
encouraging awareness and banding together to affect positive change is all part of what
International Women's Day stands for.

THE OBSERVANCES ~ INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY |
OTHER INTERNATIONAL DAYS FOR WOMEN & GIRLS

International Women’s Day is observed annually on 8 March. International Women's
Day first emerged from the activities of labour movements at the turn of the twentieth
century in North America and across Europe. It is a day, observed by many countries
around the world, on which women are recognized for their achievements without regard
to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political.

Besides International Women’s Day and the International Day for the Elimination of
Violence against Women, the UN observes other international days dedicated to raising
awareness of different aspects of the struggle for gender equality and women
empowerment. On February 6, the International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female
Genital Mutilation is observed, February 11 is the International Day of Women and Girls
in Science, June 19 is the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in
Conflict, June 23 is International Widows' Day, October 11 is the International Day of
the Girl Child and on October 15 the International Day of Rural Women is observed.

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CELEBRATION OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

The Theme for International Women’s Day (8 March) 2020 is, I am Generation Equality:
Realizing Women’s Rights. The theme is aligned with UN Women’s new
multigenerational campaign, Generation Equality, which marks the 25th anniversary of
the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Adopted in 1995 at the Fourth World
Conference on Women in Beijing, China, the Beijing Platform for Action is recognized
as the most progressive roadmap for the empowerment of women and girls, everywhere.

The year 2020 is a pivotal year for advancing gender equality worldwide, as the global
community takes stock of progress made for women’s rights since the adoption of the
Beijing Platform for Action. It will also mark several other galvanizing moments in the
Gender Equality Movement: a five-year milestone towards achieving the Sustainable
Development Goals; the 20th anniversary of UN Security Council resolution 1325 on
women, peace and security; and the 10th anniversary of UN Women’s establishment.

The emerging global consensus is that despite some progress, real change has been
agonizingly slow for the majority of women and girls in the world. Today, not a single
country can claim to have achieved gender equality. Multiple obstacles remain
unchanged in law and in culture. Women and girls continue to be undervalued; they work
more and earn less and have fewer choices; and experience multiple forms of violence at
home and in public spaces. Furthermore, there is a significant threat of rollback of hard-
won feminist gains.

The year 2020 represents an unmissable opportunity to mobilize global action to achieve
gender equality and human rights of all women and girls. The United Nations
Observance of International Women’s Day 2020 will take place at the United Nations
Secretariat in New York on Friday, 6 March 2020, from 10 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.

The Observance aims to bring together the next generations of women and girl leaders
and gender equality activists with the women’s rights advocates and visionaries who
were instrumental in creating the Beijing Platform for Action more than two decades ago.
The event will celebrate change makers of all ages and genders and discuss how they can
collectively tackle the unfinished business of empowering all women and girls in the
years to come. The Observance will include addresses by senior representatives of the
United Nations system, an inter-generational dialogue with gender equality activists, and
musical performances.

COLOURS - That signify International Women's Day

Internationally, purple is a colour for symbolizing women. Historically the combination
of purple, green and white to symbolize women's equality originated from the Women's
Social and Political Union in the UK in 1908.

 Purple signifies justice and dignity.
 Green symbolizes hope.
 White represents purity, but is no longer used due to 'purity' being a controversial

concept.

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CONCLUSION

The world has witnessed a significant change and attitudinal shift in both women's and
society's thoughts about women's equality and emancipation. Many from a younger
generation may 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 each year the world inspires women and
celebrates their achievements.

IWD is an official holiday in many countries including Afghanistan, Armenia,
Azerbaijan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, China (for women only), Cuba, Georgia,
Guinea-Bissau, Eritrea, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Madagascar (for women only),
Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Nepal (for women only), Russia, Tajikistan,
Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Zambia.

The tradition sees men honouring their mothers, wives, girlfriends, colleagues, etc. with
flowers and small gifts. In some countries IWD has the equivalent status of Mother's Day
where children give small presents to their mothers and grandmothers.

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. Many global corporations actively support IWD by running their own
events and campaigns.

 So make a difference, think globally and act locally!
 Make every day as International Women's Day!
 Do your bit to ensure that the future for girls is bright, equal, safe and

rewarding.

REFERENCES:

 "International Women's Day". United Nations.
 "International Women's Day History | International Women's Day | The

University of Chicago". iwd.uchicago.edu. Archived from the original on April
8, 2017. Retrieved April 7,2017.

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 "United Nations page on the background of the IWD". Un.org. Retrieved March
8,2012.

 "International Women's Day 2019: Think equal, build smart, innovate for
change". unwomen.org. UN Women. October 16, 2018. Retrieved March
8, 2019.

Websites:
 https://www.internationalwomensday.com/2020Theme
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Women’s_Day
 https://www.globalfundforwomen.org
 https://www.un.org/en
 https://www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-human-rights/index.html
 https://www.un.org/en/sections/issues-depth/gender-equality
 https://www.un.org/pga/73/2019/03/08/international-womens-day-2019
 https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/in-focus/international-womens-day
 https://www.internationalwomensday.com/Activity/11302/Purple-is-a-great-
color-and-back-in-2018-saw-it-reign-most-popular
 https://www.whowhatwear.com/international-womens-day-colors-to-wear
 https://celdng.org/2018/01/icogas-2017-putting-gender-and-sustainability-in-
emerging-economies-on-the-front-burners/
 https://celdng.org/about-us/message-from-the-ed-2019/
 https://www.metlife.com/blog/metlife-stories/cindy-pace-purpose-at-work/
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_women_CEOs_of_Fortune_500_compani
es
 https://www.deseret.com/2018/3/8/20584191/10-companies-you-didn-t-know-
had-female-ceos-and-coos
 https://sydney.edu.au/about-us/vision-and-values/diversity/gender-equity.html
 https://media.ifrc.org/ifrc/meetings-and-events/international-womens-day
 https://www.communities.wa.gov.au/projects/women/international-womens-
day-2020

10 | P a g e

A Woman is the one
who is Wonderful, Outstanding,

Marvelous, Adorable and Nice
to the situations she Faces and

comes out in Flying colors.