International Women's Day (IWD)
International Women's Day is an occasion marked by women around the world. This date is also commemorated at the United Nations and is designated as a national holiday in some countries. It is celebrated on 8 March each year.
- The 2009 theme - Our Women, Our State
- Events
- Resources
- History of International Women's Day
- Women's Colours
The 2009 theme - Our Women, Our State
In 2009, Queensland celebrates its 150th birthday. The Queensland Government’s year-long celebrations (Q150) have been designed to enable Queenslanders to take stock, reflect back, think ahead and move forward.
This milestone also provided an opportunity to celebrate 150 years of amazing women and reflect on the achievements of the many pioneering and inspirational women who have contributed to making Queensland the State we have become.
Themed Our Women, Our State, International Women's Day 2009 celebrated Q150 by reflecting on the women and their achievements, as well the events, places and stories significant to women, which have contributed to shaping Queensland since its separation from New South Wales in 1859.
Through reflection on the achievements and contributions of women to Queensland during the last 150 years, the theme aimed to inspire all Queensland girls and women to consider how they can contribute to building tomorrow's Queensland.
In support of Queensland's Q150 birthday celebrations, the Office for Women developed an online pictorial history of women's contributions to Queensland from 1859 - 2009. Learn more and browse the pictorial history.
Learn more about the Queensland Government's Q150 celebrations.
Read the Minister’s media release about the IWD 2009 theme.
Events
Queensland celebrated International Women’s Day 2009 in magnificent style. More than 50 events were held across the State from Darling Downs to Far North Queensland – including breakfast, luncheon and high tea events, debates, interactive videoconferences and even a fun run!
On Friday, 6 March the Office for Women hosted a breakfast at Parliament House and an afternoon tea at the Beenleigh Community Centre, for women’s sector and community groups. Approximately 80 guests attended the morning tea and approximately 40 guests attended the afternoon tea.
The Q150 online pictorial history was officially launched at the Parliament House event. In recognition of the launch, Office for Women staff attending Parliament House dressed in period costume to represent Queensland women from decades dating from the 1850s to the 1990s.
Office for Women staff dressed in period costume for International Women’s Day 2009
Resources
A selection of free publications and resources are provided each year to complement International Women's Day celebrations and events held throughout Queensland.
A small supply of IWD 2009 resources are still available for a limited time:
- Commemorative poster
- Ribbon
- Bookmark
- Bumper sticker
Order online from the Government bookshop or by calling Women’s Infolink on 1800 177 577, 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday. Stocks are limited and maximum order limits apply to each resource.
The International Women's Day 2009 fact sheet provides information on the Our Women, Our State online pictorial history of women's contributions to Queensland 1859-2009 the Office for Women prepared as part of Queensland's Q150 birthday celebrations. Available as a download only.
History of International Women's Day
International Women's Day (IWD) has its origins in National Women's Day, observed in the United States from 1909 to 1913.
IWD was observed for the first time in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland on 19 March 1911, following discussion at an international conference of socialist organisations from around the world. More than one million women and men attended IWD rallies campaigning for women's rights to work, vote, be trained, to hold public office and for an end to discrimination.
Russian women observed their first IWD on the last Sunday in February 1913 (8 March in the Western calendar). The IWD demonstrations in 1917 proved to be the first stage of the Russian Revolution of 1917, and four days later, the Czar of Russia was forced to abdicate and the provisional Government granted women the right to vote.
Since its birth in the socialist movement, IWD has grown to become a global day of recognition and celebration. In some countries it is even an official holiday.
The United Nations General Assembly, composed of delegates from every Member State, celebrates IWD to recognise that peace and social progress require the active participation and equality of women, and to acknowledge the contribution of women to international peace and security.
In Australia, IWD was first observed on 25 March 1928 in the form of a rally at the Sydney Domain.
Learn more about IWD at United Nations IWD history.
Related websites
- International Women's Day
- United Nations International Women's Day 2009
- United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) International Women's Day 2009
- UNIFEM Australia International Women's Day
- Australian Government Office for Women International Women's Day
Women's Colours
The colours originated with the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU), in the UK in 1908. The colours were said to represent: white for purity; purple for dignity, self-reverence and self-respect; and green for hope and new life.
The colours unified the movement and also emphasised the femininity of the suffragettes.
The tricolour of the WSPU soon became a visual cue for the women's movement in Australia. Purple, green and white were worn on International Women's Day and were used for other women's movement banners and posters.
Last updated: 09 April 2009
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