International Women's Day, a flag for women´s empowerment

International Women's Day, or "IWD", every year on March 8, is a worldwide recognized celebration dedicated to highlighting women's social, cultural, political, and economic achievements and their contributions to society. It is also a day that calls to continue working for women's rights, gender equality, and empowerment.

International Women's Day has been celebrated annually since the early 1900s and has grown in popularity and significance over the years.

IWD is a day to celebrate women's advancements, accomplishments, and progress toward gender equality. But it's also an opportunity to acknowledge the challenges, needs, and constraints that still exist for women in many parts of the world. Read the topic "An ongoing battle" here-in-below.

Each year, International Women's Day has a different theme, and events are held around the world to celebrate the day. The themes of IWD have included topics such as women's economic empowerment, women's health, women’s reproductive rights, women's political participation, women in leadership, and violence against women.

The true meaning of International Women's Day

International Women's Day is a day of great significance, and it's essential to fully understand its meaning.

The true meaning of International Women's Day is to promote gender parity and raise awareness of the ongoing struggle for it. Although it´s a day of celebration, it's also a day of reflection and action.

IWD is a time to recognize the progress made in advancing women's rights, but it's also a reminder that the fight against gender discrimination is ongoing.

The day also honors the women who have fought for their rights and inspired others to continue the fight for equality.

The origin of International Women's Day

The origin of IWD can be traced back to the early 20th century when women in many parts of the world started fighting for their rights, including better working conditions, gender equality, and voting rights.

Specifically, in 1908, 15,000 women marched through New York City to demand shorter working hours, better pay, and the right to vote. This demonstration was the first of its kind and sparked a movement for women's rights that continues today.

International Women's Day was first observed in 1909 in the United States, but it wasn't until 1911 that it was recognized internationally. Since then, it has been celebrated every year in countries around the world.

The first IWD was celebrated on March 8, 1911, in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland, following a proposal by Clara Zetkin, a German socialist and women's rights activist.

The date of March 8 was chosen because it was the day women in Soviet Russia gained the right to vote in 1917.

The celebration of IWD spread throughout the world, and in 1975, the United Nations officially recognized March 8 as International Women's Day. Since then, IWD has become an annual global celebration that highlights women's achievements, calls for gender parity, and raises awareness of the issues facing women worldwide.

Involvement of the United Nations with Women's Day

The United Nations recognized International Women's Day as an official holiday during the International Women's Year in 1975.

While IWD has been celebrated since the early 1900s, it wasn't until the United Nations got involved that it became an internationally recognized event. They declared March 8 the official day to celebrate IWD, which has been observed annually ever since.

The United Nations’ involvement with IWD has played a significant role in raising awareness about women's issues on a global scale. They have used its platform to promote women's rights and gender parity, and to advocate for policies and programs that promote the advancement of women worldwide.

One of the key ways the United Nations have promoted IWD is through its annual theme. Each year, the United Nations chooses a theme for IWD, highlighting a particular issue or concern for women. For example, the theme for IWD 2021 was "Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world". This theme highlighted the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on women and the importance of women in leadership of the response and recovery efforts.

The United Nations led the creation of several important initiatives and programs focused on women's issues. For example, the UN Women’s Agency was created in 2010 and has played a significant role worldwide in advancing issues like women's economic empowerment, ending gender violence, and increasing women's political participation.

The United Nations have increased awareness and support for women's rights in governments, organizations, and individuals worldwide. They have successfully promoted IWD as a global movement, with events and activities taking place in many countries.

An ongoing battle

For decades, women have been fighting for equal opportunities with men. The claim has come a long way and has achieved significant progress in recent years. But there is still much work to do.

Despite many advances in some areas, such as education and employment, women continue to face critical challenges and barriers to full equality.

Over the years, IWD has become a lighthouse for highlighting the issues that still need to be addressed.

These inequalities include:

• Job opportunities.

• Career promotion and leadership roles.

• Discrimination in the workplace.

• Gender-based violence.

• Political and public life representation.

• Representation in leadership positions.

• Reproductive health rights.

In many parts of the world, women still fight for basic rights, such as access to education with no restrictions, the right to vote, and access to essential health services. 

Lately, there has been a focus on issues such as:

• Gender pay gap. This gap is even wider for African American women.

• Sexual harassment at work.

• More women in STEM careers (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).

Despite efforts to improve workplace parity, women are still vastly underrepresented in many industries and organizations such as tech, finance, and politics.

Increasing women's participation in politics and public life is essential to ensuring women’s perspectives and interests are represented in decision-making processes. The whole of society will also benefit from it.

Only by working together, women and men, can we create a world where women can thrive and reach their full potential.

But what can we specifically do to support the cause of equal opportunities for women? 

There are several specific things that individuals and organizations can do to support it. Read the topic "How to help forge a gender-equal world" below.

Achievements and social advances of women in recent decades

Women have made significant strides in the past few decades, breaking barriers and achieving success in various areas of society, and gaining rights and opportunities that were previously unavailable to them.

Women's political representation, access to education, and increased participation in sports are just some examples of these achievements.

Next, we will describe some women’s achievements and social advances in recent decades. 

1. Political representation.

One of the most significant achievements of women in recent years is the increase in their political representation. Women are now represented in political offices and leadership roles in many countries around the world.

For example, Angela Merkel had an outstanding performance in 16 years as Chancellor of Germany and 21 years as the head of her political party, the Christian Democratic Union. Kamala Harris was elected the first female Vice President of the United States in 2020. 

In addition, many countries, such as Norway, Spain, and New Zealand, have implemented gender quotas to ensure more women are represented in parliament. 

2. Education.

Women have also made tremendous progress in education. In the past, education was often denied to women. But now, women have more opportunities to access education. According to the World Bank, in 2018, women accounted for over 50% of global enrolment in tertiary education. This is a significant achievement as education is a crucial driver for economic growth and development. 

3. Reproductive rights.

In recent decades, women have also made strides in reproductive rights, including access to contraception and abortion. The landmark Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade in 1973 was a significant victory for women's reproductive rights. However, in recent years, some countries have challenged these rights, and there is a continued need to protect these rights. 

4. Business leadership.

Women have made strides in business leadership, breaking into executive positions and becoming successful entrepreneurs. Women-owned businesses and self-employment are some of the fastest-growing segments of the economy, contributing significantly to job creation and economic growth. 

5. Inclusion and diversity.

In recent decades, there has been a growing emphasis on diversity and inclusion in many fields, including politics, business, and entertainment. Women have been at the forefront of this movement, advocating for greater representation and inclusion of women, black people, and other underrepresented groups. 

6. Sports.

Another area where women have made great strides is in sports. Women's sports have become increasingly popular and receive more media coverage than ever before. In 2019, the United States Women's National Soccer Team won its 4th FIFA Women's World Cup, which drew in a record-breaking audience of over one billion viewers. In addition, women have also been able to compete in traditionally male-dominated sports, such as basketball, tennis, and boxing. 

7. Science and technology.

More women are pursuing careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). They are making significant discoveries and contributions in these fields. For example, in 2019, Katie Bouman led the development of an algorithm that helped capture the first-ever image of a black hole.

By continuing to work towards these goals and another, women's social advances continue to grow in the coming decades towards achieving their full potential.

How to help forge a gender-equal world

Despite the strides and achievements made in recent years, gender inequality and discrimination remain significant issues in many parts of the world. But all of us can play a role in helping to forge a gender-equal world.

Basically, it is essential to educate oneself and others about the issues that women face, which include recognizing the importance of gender equality for women and society as a whole and the biases and cultural stereotypes that exist.

This can be done through attending events, participating in online discussions, or simply sharing information and resources on social media.

Another way is by supporting organizations and initiatives that work for gender equality. This can include donating money, volunteering time, or simply spreading the word about their work.

Here are some specific and practical things that can be done to promote gender parity: 

1. Support women's education.

Education is one of the most powerful tools we have to promote gender equality. Studies have shown that educating women and girls improve their lives and benefits their families and communities. By supporting women's education, we can help to reduce poverty, improve health outcomes, and promote economic growth. This can be achieved by advocating for policies that promote access to education for women everywhere, especially in developing countries. 

2. Promote equal women employment opportunities.

The workplace is another area where gender inequality persists. Women continue to face barriers to advancement and are often paid less than their male counterparts. It’s necessary to promote equal opportunities in the workplace by advocating for policies that address the gender pay gap, providing mentorship and support to women in leadership roles, and creating a culture that values diversity and inclusion. 

3. Address gender role stereotypes.

Gender cultural stereotypes are deeply ingrained in our society and often shape our attitudes and behaviors toward men and women. To help create a gender-equal world is necessary to challenge these stereotypes and work towards creating a culture that values and respects diversity. It starts with recognizing that people should not be judged based on gender identity. 

4. Improve access to healthcare.

Access to healthcare is a fundamental human right. Yet, women and girls face significant barriers to accessing quality healthcare in many countries. Women and girls are more likely to experience gender discrimination and violence in healthcare contexts. They often lack access to essential reproductive health services. By promoting access to healthcare for women and girls, we can help to improve their health outcomes and promote gender equality. 

5. Engage in advocacy and activism.

This can include supporting women's rights organizations, volunteering with organizations that promote gender equality or participating in rallies and marches. Women (and men) can use their voices to speak out against gender inequality and demand change from policymakers and employers. 

6. Address violence against women.

Violence against women is a severe human rights violation that affects millions of women and girls worldwide. This can take many forms, including domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. To end this issue, policies that protect women's rights must be implemented, provide support and resources to survivors of violence, and challenge attitudes and behaviors that contribute to gender-based violence. 

7. Advocate for political representation.

Women continue to be underrepresented in political and decision-making roles, which can limit their ability to influence policies and decisions that affect their lives. By advocating for political representation, we can help to promote gender equality by ensuring that women's voices are heard and that their perspectives are taken into account in decision-making processes. 

8. Support women's entrepreneurship.

This is an essential driver of economic growth and job creation. Yet, women entrepreneurs continue to face significant barriers to accessing capital, markets, and support services. By supporting women's entrepreneurship, we can help to promote gender equality by empowering women to create their own economic opportunities and challenge traditional gender roles.

These points show that promoting gender equality requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses the barriers women, including girls, face in almost all areas of life. Achieving this goal is a complex issue that requires a collective effort.

By doing things in these action areas, individuals, organizations, and governments can help create a more equitable world where everyone has equal opportunities and treatment regardless of gender.

How companies can build a more gender-balanced society

In recent years, many companies have promoted workplace diversity and equal access to leadership positions. These efforts include policies that support work-life balance, mentorship programs, and measures against harassment and discrimination.

Here are some ways companies can help build a more balanced society from their workplaces: 

1. Provide equal opportunities to all employees.

This includes equal access to training and development programs, promotions, and leadership positions. It´s also vital to ensure that all employees are paid fairly and have access to benefits that support their work and life balance. 

2. Build an inclusive culture.

Companies can build an environment that values diversity and actively promotes inclusion. This can be achieved through inclusive policies, employee training, and by promoting open communication. Employees should feel comfortable sharing their ideas, opinions, and experiences with others. 

3. Increase representation of women in leadership roles.

This can be achieved by implementing programs to identify and develop female leaders, providing leadership training to female employees, and creating a culture that values and promotes diversity in leadership. 

4. Provide gender-specific training, mentorship, and sponsorship.

Mentorship and sponsorship programs can be implemented by providing specific support and guidance to women. Training can include topics such as communication, negotiation, and leadership styles tailored to women's needs. Providing these kinds of programs and training can help women (and men) develop the skills they need to advance in their careers and succeed in the workplace. 

5. Provide opportunities to have a better work-life balance.

This can include work options such as flexible work hours, online work, and job-sharing. Companies that offer these options often experience increased employee satisfaction, engagement, and productivity. 

6. Establish and enforce anti-discrimination policies.

These policies should clearly state that discrimination, harassment, and bullying will not be tolerated against anyone. It is also necessary to establish a reporting system so employees can report these types of incidents. 

7. Set gender equality goals and measure and report progress.

These goals should be integrated into the company's mission and vision statement. To ensure the success of their efforts, companies should regularly measure and report on their progress and make necessary adjustments. This can include analyzing the effectiveness of diversity and inclusion initiatives and soliciting employee feedback. 

8. Partner with inclusion and diversity organizations.

These organizations can provide valuable resources and expertise to help companies create more inclusive workplaces. Partnering with these organizations can also help companies build a network of diverse talent.

By implementing these strategies, companies can create a gender-balanced workplace. This requires a long-term commitment and a willingness to take bold action to drive change. Companies that foster gender balance will not only create a more equitable workplace but also reap the benefits of a more diverse and innovative workforce.

What International Women's Day means to Curveez

International Women's Day is a significant event for women all over the world. At Curveez, we take this opportunity to celebrate women's achievements and progress and highlight the ongoing challenges, pending improvements, and the work that still needs to be done. 

For Curveez, IWD is an opportunity to recognize the incredible contributions that women have made to society and the world. We celebrate the achievements of women in various fields like business, politics, economics, science, and technology, among others. We recognize the hard work, dedication, and resilience that women have demonstrated facing gender discrimination and inequality. 

At Curveez, we believe that gender equality is essential and are committed to supporting women's rights and opportunities. Women still face significant challenges in various aspects of life, including education, employment, health, and safety. We also understand that women from marginalized communities face additional barriers, such as poverty, discrimination, and lack of access to resources and services. 

On International Women's Day, we recommit ourselves to the path for gender parity and women empowerment. We also take this Women´s Day to encourage organizations and initiatives dedicated to improve women's rights and opportunities. 

Curveez is proud to be a brand that empowers women and will continue to work towards a world where every woman has the opportunity to thrive and succeed.

Empowering women

At Curveez, we believe every woman deserves to feel confident and beautiful, regardless of shape, size, or background. Curveez helps women to achieve the desired body shape and enhances their confidence.  

That’s why Curveez shapewear not only helps women shape their bodies but also contributes to empowering them. 

Empowerment is about making women feel confident, strong, and in control. Curveez shapewear provides an instant solution to women's body shape problems. It helps women feel good about their bodies, which in turn boosts their self-esteem. 

Curveez shapewear is not only designed to provide physical benefits but also mental benefits by boosting women's confidence and protecting them against body prejudices from others. 

Feeling confident about their bodies contributes to their mental well-being. It allows women to focus on their strengths and achievements rather than their physical appearance. 

This confidence boost helps women take on new challenges and achieve their goals. 

Furthermore, Curveez also contributes to women’s empowerment by providing them with more clothing options, which allows women to express their individuality and creativity.

Toward a brighter future

International Women's Day is a time to celebrate women's achievements, recognize the challenges they face, and commit ourselves to the fight for gender equality. Because while much progress has been made, there are still significant challenges to overcome. 

It's important to remember that gender equality is not just a women's issue: it's a human issue! Everyone has a role to play in creating a world where women are treated equally and have the same opportunities as men. 

Let's take IWD as a reminder of the work that still needs to be done and commit to being part of the solution.

Whether educating ourselves and others, advocating for change, or supporting women-led initiatives, there are many ways to get involved and help make a difference.

By working together, we can create a brighter and more equitable future for all women that will benefit all humanity.