By ABEL JOHNGOLD ORHERUATA
In marking this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD), the National Association of Seadogs (NAS) aka Pyrates Confraternity, through her Hispaniola X Deck has assembled galaxies of women intellectuals as guest speakers to unravel some of the social challenges women are facing.
Addressing newsmen, Mr. Victor Dorgu, the 2nd Mate of the Hispaniola X Deck stated that the lecture with the theme “Challenges of the 21st Century Woman” will be on virtual.
He said the guest speakers are Rosemary Iyade Usman, UK care manager of Teenage Life and Parenting Coach, Tosin Adewale, founder of Toscon Consultancy Services Nigeria.
Others are Rhoda Imoni, Director of Hu Rising At Vineyard Home Healthcare Rancho Cucamonga, California, Gbemisola Ope, Social Events Manager For Top Private Individuals and Corporate Organizations, Nigeria. While the moderator is Chief Mrs. Andromeda Oragui Esq, Principal Partner at Andromeda Oragui & Co and the Vice Chairperson of Eti-Osa Bar Forum
Dorgu who noted that International days are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity, called on the public to Join the Discussion*
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83241277318?pwd=MjlWa0VaOXJJT2hmcXdrMEFrZ25kdz09
Meeting ID: 832 4127 7318
Passcode: 005292
While disclosing that the existence of international days predates the establishment of the United Nations, but the UN has embraced them as a powerful advocacy tool, the Pyrates number 2 Man in Hispaniola X Deck stated that International Women’s Day, also known as IWD for short, grew out of the labour movement to become a recognised annual event by the United Nations (UN).
According to Dorgu, “The seeds of it were planted in 1908, when 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter working hours, better pay and the right to vote. It was the Socialist Party of America who declared the first National Woman’s Day, a year later.
The idea to make the day international came from a woman called Clara Zetkin. She suggested the idea in 1910 at an International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen. There were 100 women there, from 17 countries, and they agreed on her suggestion unanimously.
“It was first celebrated in 1911, in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. The centenary was celebrated in 2011, so this year we’re technically celebrating the 110th International Women’s Day.
“Things were made official in 1975 when the United Nations started celebrating the day. The first theme adopted by the UN (in 1996) was “Celebrating the past, Planning for the Future”.
“International Women’s Day has become a date to celebrate how far women have come in society, in politics and in economics, while the political roots of the day mean strikes and protests are organised to raise awareness of continued inequality”.