Women's Equality Day - 26 August

Tags: Important Days

Women's Equality Day is celebrated every year on 26 August.

An Overview of the News

• The day acknowledges the ongoing global struggle for equal rights and opportunities for women.

• It serves as a tribute to the universal suffrage movement and celebrates the progress of women.

• The day reinforces the commitment to achieve gender equality at the global level.

The theme of Women's Equality Day 2023:

• The theme for Women's Equality Day 2023 is "Embrace Equality".

• This theme is in line with the Strategic Plan from 2021 to 2026.

• "Embracing Equality" underscores the importance of achieving gender equality.

• Gender equality is seen not only as a driver of economic development but also as a fundamental human right.

History of Women's Equality Day

• It begins with the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment to the US Constitution, which gives women the right to vote.

• Its importance is attached to 26 August 1970, which celebrated the 50th anniversary of this important amendment.

• The National Organization for Women (NOW) took advantage of this opportunity by advocating a "strike for equality".

• More than 100,000 women participated in strikes organized by NOW in more than 90 major US cities.

• The wide participation in the strike highlighted the importance of continuing efforts toward gender equality.

• In 1971, the US Congress officially established Women's Equality Day to honor the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment and the ongoing pursuit of full women's rights.