 Hello everyone, I am Dr. Rashmi Singh, Assistant Professor of the Department of Education, Mrs. Khanna Girls Trudy College, University of Allahabad and I am here to discuss with you all the history, significance and theme of International Women's Day which is annually celebrated on 8th March and I will discuss the theme of year 2024 with all of you. So let's start International Women's Day International Women's Day which is annually celebrated on 8th March. What is the history, since when, what is the reason for celebrating it, what is the importance and what is the theme and who decides its theme and every year according to the theme it is celebrated all over the world because it is International Women's Day. So if we look at its history according to UNESCO, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, International Women's Day emerged from the activities of labour movements in North America and Europe in the 20th century. That is, according to UNESCO, the International Women's Day has emerged, it has arisen, it has arisen. Why? Because in North America and Europe, the labour movement in the 20th century, that is, you can say that it has been celebrated after their activities. So when was it celebrated? The first National Women's Day was observed in the United States on February 28, 1909. If we look at it this way, it is 100 years old but it is officially started later. So the first National Women's Day, well, this is the National Women's Day, after which it was celebrated only in the United States. Later it has been celebrated as International Women's Day. That is why its history has also changed. So the first National Women's Day was celebrated in the United States, it was celebrated for the first time on 28th March, 1909. In commemoration of the 1988 garment workers' strike in New York, during which women protested against harsh working conditions. That is, in 1908, in New York, the workers of Poshak used to work there. They striked and the women protested and opposed, because the harsh working conditions were put in front of them. Women protested against the government workers' strike and in the same memory, on 28th March, 1909, in the United States of America, the first National Women's Day was celebrated. After that, what happens? The United Nations Charter of 1945 became the first international agreement to affirm equality between men and women. Later in 1945, when this United Nations Charter came, the first International Women's Day was an agreement which took a positive response from all of them, that men and women should be equal among men and women. Later on, March 8, 1975, during International Women's Day, this International Women's Day was going on for a year. In that, the United Nations first official International Women's Day was celebrated on 8th March, 1975. That is, from 1975, each year, on 8th March, the International Women's Day is celebrated on the World's World's Washbix Charter. Since then, the UN has become the primary sponsor of the annual event. Since then, the primary sponsor of the United Nations Charter is the International Women's Day, which is the event of the Warshik. And has encouraged countries around the world to embrace its goal of celebrating acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities. That is, the first International Women's Day was celebrated on 28th March, in the United States, which was the International Women's Day. Why was it celebrated? Because the government government strike, the workers' strike in New York. Why? Because there were harsh working conditions against them. Then, the United Nations Charter comes in 1945, which states that women and men should be equal among men. After that, on 8th March, the International Women's Day is celebrated on 8th March, and since then, the UN has been the primary sponsor of the event. And it encourages countries around the world that the ordinary women who work very hard every day in their countries and communities, should be equal among men. That courage, that courage, that determination, that determination, that determination, that determination should be celebrated by you. Then what is the significance of this day? International Women's Day is a global event. It is celebrated worldwide, in various places. Focused on recognizing the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. And since it is a special day for women, you should recognize those women who, as you can call them, are from politics, sanskritik, and art, they have achieved some very special achievements. Recognize them. Focused on that. IWD, the International Women's Day, serves as an opportunity to raise awareness. And this day is also because you can be a witness of awareness, of awareness, against whom, against gender inequality and gender equality issues, that there should be a sense of language. There should be no discrimination between men and women. There are many rules, many rules, all of these are as smooth as you can see. And advocate for progress towards a more equitable world. And when we advocate, as you call it, advocate means that you can talk to the right person, you can advocate for him, you can put a mark on him, that we shouldn't do that. There should be no discrimination between men and women. Through various events and initiatives, many events are held, many events are organized, many initiatives are given. IWD empowers individuals and communities to learn about the challenges women face and work towards solutions. If you can't feel it, you should be told, you should know that all the challenges women face, and we have to work towards those challenges. It is celebrated to spread the message of gender equality to create a better society free of gender bias. And this is why it is made that we can express this message that gender equality should be there. There should be language equality, there should be no discrimination based on the language, so that we can march in a society where there should be no language discrimination, there should be no bias, there should be no apprehension, there should be no myth that a boy can do this, a girl can do this. Everybody is an individual and has unique potentialities and capability within. So you should consider them individual. Why do you consider them gender-based? They celebrate women and addresses issues such as women's equal rights, violence and abuse against women and reproductive rights. You will know that you have to serve a trafficking organization and you will decide whether you want the women to act or not. Women will be satisfied because women can come into the community to prove themselves as agent and want to protect the就 like community to the whole society. Women even Start harassing I don't think they were in India or anywhere else. In fact, there are many laws here that have come before us. Okay, and the theme. Every year, the United Nations decides on its theme. This International Women's Day, 8th March, 2024, joined the United Nations in celebrating another theme. What is the theme this time? Invest in women, accelerate progress. They are saying that you should invest in women. Invest in women means that you should teach them, write them down, take care of yourself and your child. Invest in them so that you can accelerate progress. In comparison to if you invest in men. So, and what is targeting? Economic disempowerment. What we have been following since the past year, our GDP is less, our share price is less, we are not able to be self-dependent economically. That is their theme. However, the campaign theme for the same year is Inspire Inclusion. In other words, Inspire Inclusion. Procure it so that it can be a summary. Whose summary can it be? The women's summary can be a summary. Every place, every share price can be their summary. So, Inclusion is a big term. But here, the theme for Women's Day is particularly for women. So, the campaign theme is Inspire Inclusion. In which, what theme did the UN decide? Invest in women, accelerate progress. Okay, the campaign theme inspires Inclusion and emphasizes the importance of diversity and empowerment in all aspects of society. That is, in every aspect of the society, we can make women independent. And the importance of the diversity is given. This year's campaign theme underscores the crucial role of Inclusion in achieving gender equality. They are saying that if you include it, then we can pass on the language. It calls for action to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes and create environments where all women are valued and respected. They are saying that you do something that can break barriers and barriers that are against you. The stereotype set is that women can only do this, women can't do this, women can't do this. They have to challenge them, that is, we have to overcome them and create environments. And in this way, we have to implement all women's principles. They have to be given principles. They have to be devalued and respected. The world is facing many crises ranging from geopolitical conflicts to soaring property levels and the escalating impacts of climate change. They are saying that there are many difficulties in the world, there are many kinds of conflicts, there is poverty, climate change is being talked about, a lot of things have gone wrong. These challenges can only be addressed by solutions that empower women. We can address these challenges only when we challenge women. Why? Because women are a part of the population, so when half of your population is weak, the whole body can never be strong. By investing in women, we can spark change and speed the transition towards a healthier, safer and more equal world world. If we invest in women, then that change will come, that change will come, from which we will get a better, safer and equal society. We will get a better, safer and equal society. Investing in women and championing gender equality, turbocharges, a future where everyone in society can try creating a world of boundless opportunity and empowerment for all. They are saying that if you invest in women, then gender equality will come and a future like this, turbocharges will get a better, better power in the future where everyone in society can try to create a world of boundless opportunity and empower everyone. So, in this way, I, Dr. Rashmi Singh, wish you all a very happy new year. Wish you all a very happy international women's day. Thank you.