Women reflect on equality for international women's day

Women around the world will gather at various events to mark International Women’s Day in conjunction with Zonta Rose Day. Members of Zonta clubs around New Zealand are hosting their own events to celebrate the day and raise awareness of equality.

The theme for this year’s day, Thinking Equal, Building Smart, Innovating for Change, focuses on ways to advance gender equality and the empowerment of women in areas of social innovation, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure. Achieving equality in the workplace, in the boardroom and in all facets of women’s lives is critical for economic prosperity. Zonta International District 16 Souella Cumming commented “International Women’s Day is one day annually when women globally focus on what’s been achieved for women’s equality, and the positive impact that has on outcomes for women everywhere.”

International Women’s Day was officially recognised by the United Nations in 1975 as a day dedicated to the rights of women. However, the day itself dates back to 1911 and was first celebrated in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland.

March 8 is also Zonta Rose Day, and 2019 is the year in which Zonta International celebrates its centenary. District 16 Governor Souella Cumming says that it is a day when members of Zonta Clubs recognise women in their local communities by presenting them with a yellow rose to acknowledge their commitment to activities focused on reducing violence and improving social, economic and educational outcomes for women.

Zonta International is a global organization of executives and professionals working together to advance the status of women worldwide through service and advocacy.

To learn more about Zonta and look at opportunities to join this global organisation of executives and professionals visit: www.zonta.org or www.zonta.org.nz

For more information about International Women’s Day, visit: www.unwomen.org.nz/international-womens-day.

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