International Women's Day

Around the world, International Women's Day is celebrated on March 8 every year, to highlight the inequalities and hardship women still face and to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women.

Below are some of the main gender issues that need to be addressed:

Education:

Over two-thirds of the world’s 776 million illiterates are women & more than 55 percent of the 75 million out of school primary age children are girls. (UNESCO)

Violence Against Women:

Between 10 and 69 per cent of women report abuse by their intimate partner in every country where reliable data exist. Systematic rape has left millions of women and adolescent girls traumatized, pregnant, or infected with HIV. (UN)

Maternal Health:

Every year over 536,000 women die of pregnancy-related complications, and between 8 million and 20 million a year suffer serious injury or disability from the same causes. (World Health Organisation)

Food & Agriculture:

The UN estimates that women grow more than half of all the food in the world. In sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean, they produce up to 80% of basic foodstuffs. In Asia, they account for around 50 percent of food production. Despite their contributions to the global food supply, women farmers are often undervalued and overlooked in agricultural development strategies.

Money:

Women earn only ten per cent of the world’s income, yet work two-thirds of the world’s working hours. (Oxfam International)

Voice:

Women hold only 14 per cent of the world’s governmental seats. (Oxfam International)

To find out more or to take part in International Women's day please check out the following links:

http://www.oxfam.org.uk/celebration?intcmp=hp_hero-1_do-pageb_010311

http://www.internationalwomensday.com/default.asp