Women’s Global Rights Still Needed

International Women's Day
March 8

The United Nations began celebrating International Women's Day in the International Women's Year, 1975. In 1977, the United Nations General Assembly invited member states to proclaim March 8 as the UN Day for women's rights and world peace.

History of the Day
International Women's Day is celebrated in many countries around the world. It is a day when women are recognized for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political. International Women's Day first emerged from the activities of labor movements at the turn of the twentieth century in North America and across Europe. Since those early years, International Women's Day has assumed a new global dimension for women in developed and developing countries alike. The growing international women's movement, which has been strengthened by four global United Nations women's conferences, has helped make the commemoration a rallying point to build support for women's rights and participation in the political and economic arenas.

The UN and Gender EqualityThe Charter of the United Nations, signed in 1945, was the first international agreement to affirm the principle of equality between women and men. Since then, the UN has helped create a historic legacy of internationally-agreed strategies, standards, programs and goals to advance the status of women worldwide. Over the years, the UN and its technical agencies have promoted the participation of women as equal partners with men in achieving sustainable development, peace, security, and full respect for human rights. The empowerment of women continues to be a central feature of the UN's efforts to address social, economic and political challenges across the globe.

ACTION:        Support and collaborate with those who continue to
                       work for the equality of women in society and the

                       workforce around the world.

Honor the valiant women of our own time…

            Who nudge us back on track;
            Who remind us of the promises of Christ'
            Who claim the Gospel for women, too;
            Who preach the reality of wholeness;
            Who strain against a patriarchal church
            Who challenge us to grow!



PRAYER:        Let us go forth then, O Living and Loving God,
                        Let us go forth in the power of Your Presence deep in our hearts,
                        and the power of your presence overflowing in our communities,
                        Let us go forth confirmed and strengthened in our vision
                        Let us go forth named in Hope and Love, and sustained in these                         challenging times.
                        Let us go forth as valiant women of justice and peace.

Celebrating our valiant Cluny Sisters around the world