Women change around the world

International Women's Day first emerged from the activities of labour 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 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, programmes 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.

In 1995 the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a historic roadmap signed by 189 governments, focused on 12 critical areas of concern, and envisioned a world where each woman and girl can exercise her choices, such as participating in politics, getting an education, having an income, and living in societies free from violence and discrimination.

Women have come a long way in this world, and rightfully so that progress is honoured every year on March 8. What is International Women's Day, you ask? You may have noticed the date coming up on your calendar.

Obviously, we don't need a designated holiday to celebrate the ongoing strength and courage of women, because women are so amazingly awesome that we should be celebrated every single day, but it's nice to have a day to appreciate the hard work made by previous generations in the fight for gender equality.

And, that's exactly what International Women's Day is all about. While the fight is far from over, the progress women have made since the first International Women's Day in 1908 is seriously impressive.

It all started when 15,000 amazing women marched through the streets of New York City that year demanding shorter work hours, better pay, and the right to vote.

Fast forward to today, and they are not only voting, but they might soon be electing their first ever woman president.

It might have taken a century to get this far, but change doesn't happen overnight. And who knows where they would be right now if not for those 15,000 marchers?

So in addition to sending those 15,000 heroes a million thank-yous on March 8 this year, take some time to fully understand this holiday, what it means, and how it'll continue to inspire change around the world.