International Women's Day (IWD) is marked on the 8th of March every year. It is a major day of global celebration of women. In different regions the focus of the celebrations ranges from general celebration of respect, appreciation and love towards women to a celebration for women's economic, political and social achievements.
The first IWD was observed on 28 February 1909 in the United States following a declaration by the Socialist Party of America. Among other relevant historic events, it came to commemorate the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire. The idea of having an international women's day was first put forward at the turn of the 20th century amid rapid world industrialization and economic expansion that led to protests over working conditions.
On occasion of 2010 International Women's Day the International Committee of the Red Cross is drawing attention to the hardship displaced women endure. The displacement of populations is one of the gravest consequences of today's armed conflicts. It affects women in a host of ways. Women displaced by armed conflict – often living alone with their children – are frequently exposed to sexual violence, discrimination and intimidation. Many face poverty and social exclusion as well. International humanitarian law therefore includes specific provisions protecting women, for example when they are pregnant or as mothers of young children.
If we are talking about women who support, influence and care we can´t forget the women behind U2:
Ali Hewson, Anne Acheson and Morleigh Steinberg-Evans .
Apart from being "U2´s wives", muses and inspiration, helpers and companions in life, they stand out on their own.
Ali Hewsonrappelling down Ireland's tallest building raise funds for Chernobyl Children's Project International's Homes of Hope program in 2009Ali Hewson, Bono´s wife, is a recognized activist.She received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Political Science from University College Dublin (UCD) in 1989, shortly after giving birth to her first daughter, Jordan. She is a patron of Chernobyl Children's Project International, an organization accredited by the United Nations that works with children, families and communities who continue to be affected by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 1986.[She participated in Greenpeace protests against the Sellafield reprocessing plant and narrated
Black Wind White Land, an Irish film which highlighted the plight of victims of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. She also participated in the film "Chernobyl Heart" with Adi Roche.
In addition to her own work, she has travelled and appeared with Bono extensively when participating in activist events such as campaigning against third world poverty. She and Bono founded the socially concious clothes company "EDUN".
Morleigh Steinberg-Evans
Morleigh , an American coreographer , dancer,
filmmaker and lighting designer, met Edge when she was one of the belly dancers in the Zoo TV tour. Mother of two, she´s often seen accompanying her husband to events and parties, described as "a dark- eyed beauty", she has helped mould the scene of Dublin´s modern contemporary dancing.
Anne AchesonAnne Acheson, Larry´s partner for almost 30 years, is a fine, beautiful lady with a very low profile. They met in their first year at Mount Temple School and seemed not to have separated since that moment.Mother of three children, she and Larry had been relatively successful in keeping their family life private. A great companion, she´s seen with Larry in important events, though as Larry has said "she has her own occupations".
U2 has always been surrounded by women, esp. in Principle Management ,where a great percetange of the staff are women. As Bono would sing "women are the future."
Not to forget the women who are in less advantageous position that us, ONE has launched a new campaign called Women ONE2ONE, the first step is to start an awareness campaign to end mother to child transmission of HIV.The group that can make this happen is The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria – who will be meeting with their key donors next week. Please join me in encouraging Global Fund Director Michel Kazatchkine and Global Fund donors to support efforts to end mother to child transmission of HIV as a priority intervention to stop the spread of the disease:
Edge´s angel
Artist Nollaig Fahy
