When is Women’s Day commemorated in Colombia in 2024: a space for reflection

Women’s Day emphasizes the relevance of investing in female empowerment – Freepik credit

On March 8, 2024, Colombia joins the global celebration of Women’s Day, an emblematic date that commemorates the continued fight for gender equality and women’s rights around the world. This year, Women’s Day falls on a Friday, just to start a weekend where organizations and citizens in general have the opportunity to reflect on the challenges that women face and celebrate their achievements.

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This date will be commemorated in Colombia with a series of activities and reflections that highlighted the importance of moving towards gender equality and the well-being of women in all areas of society. Although March 8 is not a holiday in the country, work and school activities will continue as usual, but the celebration will not go unnoticed.

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This year, the United Nations (UN) launched a call to accelerate gender equality processes under the slogan ‘Investing in women: accelerating progress’. This slogan focuses on the financial-related economic challenges faced by women around the world.

Within the five key areas outlined by the UN, the importance of investing in women as an engine of progress and benefit for all of society was highlighted. In addition, emphasis was placed on eradicating poverty, implementing gender-sensitive financing, transitioning towards a green economy and a caring society, as well as supporting activists working for women’s rights.

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In Colombia, various organizations, educational institutions and government entities will join in the commemoration of Women’s Day, through events, talks and activities that will promote reflection and dialogue on the situation of women in the country and ways to move forward. Gender equality. Through these initiatives, we sought to generate awareness and action to build a more equitable and fair society for all Colombian women.

Women’s Day emphasizes the relevance of investing in female empowerment – Freepik credit

The choice of this specific date has deep historical roots dating back to the labor movement of the 19th century. In 1857, hundreds of textile workers in New York (United States) united to demand better working conditions, sparking protests that would mark a milestone in the fight for women’s rights. Since then, the 8M became a symbol of the feminist struggle around the world.

In 1908 or 1909, the date is not precise, the first “Women’s Day” was celebrated in Chicago, United States, and later, in 1910, during the Second International Conference of Socialist Women in Copenhagen (Denmark). , March 8 was proclaimed as International Women’s Day, as proposed by Clara Zetkin, according to Unicef.

Since then, this date has been a reminder of the importance of gender equality and women’s rights.

Women’s Day emphasizes the relevance of investing in female empowerment – Freepik credit

Among the background, March 25, 1911 marked a dark episode in the labor history of the United States. In a matter of minutes, a fire consumed the eighth, ninth and tenth floors of the Asch Building in New York’s Greenwich Village.

On these floors was the Triangle Shirtwaist factory, where around 500 people worked, mostly young immigrants. The disaster claimed the lives of 123 women and 23 men, leaving a deep shock in the city and generating a push to advance workplace safety regulations and the recognition of women’s rights.

The causes of the fire are still a matter of debate. Some versions point to a poorly extinguished cigarette butt in a trash can, while others suggest a spark caused by a machine. There is even speculation that it might have been intentional, for the purpose of collecting insurance. Whatever the cause, the flames spread quickly in an environment filled with flammable material.

Triangle Shirtwaist factory tragedy a turning point in labor law – credit Reuters

When the fire broke out, the conditions for escape were practically impossible. Firefighters arrived quickly, but the ladders were too short and the hoses lacked the necessary power. The fire blocked access to the elevator and the stairs, forcing many workers to look for an exit by jumping out of the windows.

In less than thirty minutes, according to national media, the fire devastated the factory, leaving a devastating toll of death and pain. Many of the victims lost their lives due to burns or asphyxiation, while others died trying to escape via the elevator or jumping from the building’s windows.

The factory’s owners, Max Blanck and Isaac Harris, were put on trial for manslaughter, but were acquitted due to their connections and a judicial system that favored the powerful. However, in a civil trial they were found guilty of death by negligence and ordered to pay compensation to the victims’ families.

Therefore, 8M became a reminder of the continued fight for women’s rights. The tragedy of the Triangle Shirtwaist factory is closely linked to this date, since many of the victims were women who worked in precarious conditions. Their sacrifice continues to be remembered as a symbol of the fight for justice and equality in the workplace.

In 1975, the United Nations (UN) officially recognized International Women’s Day, cementing its importance worldwide. Since then, millions of women around the world take to the streets every year to demand equality and with the intention of taking a step towards the end of discrimination.