AFPのサイトに、「国際女性の日、アジア各地で関連イベント・女性の権利拡大訴える」と題した記事が載っている。
女性の権利について関心があるわたしでさえも、ああ、そうだった……と思わせられるほど、日本ではこの日が忘れられている。
International Women's Day2008のサイトでは、世界各地の女性たちのメッセージを読むことができます。
どうして３月８日だったのかなと、UNのサイトで調べてみたところ、昨年の国際女性デーに関する国連広報ページに簡単な歴史があった。
HISTORY
International Women's Day: Looking Back
Introduction
International Women's Day is celebrated in many countries around the world. It is a day when women are recognized for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political. It is an occasion for looking back on past struggles and accomplishments, and more importantly, for looking ahead to the untapped potential and opportunities that await future generations of women.
In 1975, during International Women's Year, the United Nations began celebrating International Women's Day on 8 March. Two years later, in December 1977, the General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming a United Nations Day for Women's Rights and International Peace to be observed on any day of the year by Member States, in accordance with their historical and national traditions. In adopting its resolution, the General Assembly recognized the role of women in peace efforts and development and urged an end to discrimination and an increase of support for women's full and equal participation.
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.
1909: The first National Woman's Day was observed in the United States on 28 February. The Socialist Party of America designated this day in honour of the 1908 garment workers' strike in New York, where women protested against working conditions.
以下略
もともと20世紀初めの女性労働者の悲惨な状況に対する抵抗運動（スト）に起源をもち、1975年の国際女性年に国連が女性デーを定めたということらしい。
それにしても盛り上がりに欠ける日本。女性の権利（男性との平等）は“闘いの末に勝ち取った”ものではない国だから、こんなに権利への関心が薄いのだろうか……と、ぼやきたくなる。
