March 8 is an important holiday in Italy because it is celebrated on International Women's Day, which commemorates the struggle of women for the full respect of their rights, especially for gender equality.
In this article of the blog of Teach me Italian we will learn why this holiday is so heartfelt, when the institution of this day dates back and how it was born but above all how it is celebrated throughout the country.
The history of Women's Day dates back to 1908, when a group of working women in New York organized a strike to protest oppressive working conditions and demand fairer wages, better working conditions and the right to vote, until then exclusively the prerogative of the male world.
Since then, March 8 has been celebrated around the world as a day to honor women's achievements in the struggle for their rights and to promote gender equality, although many countries in the world still do not provide for gender equality or equal rights for both sexes, especially in the workplace and family.
In Italy, March 8 became an official holiday only in 1946 and is celebrated with public events, demonstrations and meetings to discuss women's problems and to promote gender equality.
There are many women's organisations and associations active in this field. At the center there is also the organization of events to raise awareness of the problems still present and with the aim of strengthening the fight against gender discrimination
To celebrate this day of rights and equality, demonstrations or sit-ins are held in the streets in several Italian cities to demand gender equality and that women's voices are also heard. The road to progress in this regard is still long, but at least we can say that the awareness born around these issues thanks to the establishment of this day has allowed progress towards respect for women's rights.
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