Women’s Equality Movement Marches Forward

Women’s equality movement gains ground at conference

International Women’s Day has been observed since the early 1900’s which was a time of great turbulence and change. The rumbling of a women’s movement began in 1908 when 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter hours, better pay and voting rights. The first National Women’s Day (NWD) was observed across the United States the following year on February 28^th.

NWD continued to be celebrated on the last Sunday of February until 1913 when the date was changed to March 8^th. In 1975 NWD was designated International Women’s Day (IWD) by the United States. Today IWD is a national holiday in numerous countries including Afghanistan, Belarus and Ukraine. Every year on March 8^th thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate their achievements.

This year prior to IWD some 250 leaders of the women’s equality movement met at the Sixth Annual Women’s Empowerment Principles Event, and initiative of the UN Global Compact and UN Women. During many diverse sessions the delegates discussed recent progress, and the remaining barriers related to “gender equality and the global jobs challenge.”

John Paluszek, Business In Society executive producer spoke with Dr. Anne-Marie Slaughter, President of The New America Foundation (NAF) and keynoter at the Women’s Empowerment Principals conference. During Paluszek’s interview Slaughter said that NAF and other civil society organizations are increasing their efforts to improve gender equality and job and career opportunities for women.

During the event Paluszek interviewed several other participants including Barbara Krumsiek, CEO of Calvert Investment and Steve Almond, Global Chair of Deloitte Touch Tohmatsu. Almond urged other CEO’s to get onboard noting that Deloitte has emphasized how men can and should get involved with the initiative.

After the event, Paluszek told career-intelligence.com that “The Women’s Empowerment Principles program is on the march. It is nearing 700 CEO signatories around the world endorsing the seven Principles that will help women achieve their personal and professional goals.”

To read more details on the conference visit the Business In Society Blog.

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