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8th of March: 100 Years of Women's Rights

The 8th of March, people all over the world celebrated the anniversary of the International Women's Day, marking the continuing fight for women's rights. At ActionAid Denmark in MENA, we marked the day by telling women's stories.

08. March 2011

Rinad Jarwan, 25, administrative assistant in ActionAid Denmark in Amman
What is the greatest challenge you have faced?
Sometimes you believe in something that the people around you don’t believe in. For example, I spent a lot of my...

Ojaini, 73, volunteer at the Jordanian Women’s Union, Amman, Jordan
Do you have an idol or a mentor?
Yes, Clara Zetkin. From I was young, I used to read this magazine called World’s Women, and I read about...

Hiba, 21, library manager, lives in Zarqa refugee camp. Her family is from Palestine.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your life?
Getting a job. I can’t work outside the camp, since I can’t go by bus because of my wheelchair. But I succeeded...

Jamila, 95, retired health center assistant, Madaba, Jordan
Can you describe yourself in three words?
I feel young. I only remember that I’m old when I look in the mirror. And I’m someone with a good memory...

Fatima, 80, house wife, lives in Barelias, Beqaa, Lebanon, but is orignially from Akka, Palestine.
Describe your mother in three words?
Very strong, patient, loved by everybody around her...

Maram, 16, student, living in Zarqa refugee camp near Amman, Jordan.
What is the most important thing you have learned from your mother?
A lot of things. To be good and to love people. ...

Amina, 64, works at the Jordanian Women’s Union, from Palestine
Do you think that women’s lives in general have improved during your lifetime? Speaking of Jordan and Palestine, I think it has become better. More women...

Sarah, 15, student, student, Kabelia-Beqaa, Lebanon
What lessons would you like to teach your children?
Self-confidence and courage. And not to be afraid of anything...

Widad, 71, works at the Jordanian Women’s Union. Lives in Amman, Jordan, but is originally from Palestine.
What did you dream of becoming as a grown-up when you were a child? I dreamed of returning to Palestine...

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About Int. Women's Day
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px arial">At the beginning of the 20th century women around the world became more and more vocal and active in campaigning for change. In 1908, 15.000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter hours, better pay and voting rights.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px arial; min-height: 15.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px arial">In 2010 an International Conference of Working Women was held in Copenhagen (In the now former building of Ungdomshuset, Jagtvej 69). A woman named a Clara Zetkin (Leader of the 'Women's Office' for the Social Democratic Party in Germany) tabled the idea of an International Women's Day.&nbsp;</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px arial; min-height: 15.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px arial">Following the decision agreed upon at Copenhagen in 1911, International Women's Day (IWD) was honoured the first time in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland on 19 March. More than one million women and men attended IWD rallies campaigning for women's rights to work, vote, be trained, to hold public office and end discrimination.</p>

At the beginning of the 20th century women around the world became more and more vocal and active in campaigning for change. In 1908, 15.000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter hours, better pay and voting rights.


In 2010 an International Conference of Working Women was held in Copenhagen (In the now former building of Ungdomshuset, Jagtvej 69). A woman named a Clara Zetkin (Leader of the 'Women's Office' for the Social Democratic Party in Germany) tabled the idea of an International Women's Day. 


Following the decision agreed upon at Copenhagen in 1911, International Women's Day (IWD) was honoured the first time in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland on 19 March. More than one million women and men attended IWD rallies campaigning for women's rights to work, vote, be trained, to hold public office and end discrimination.