March 8 is International Women's Day (IWD), an event that has been observed since the early 1900s. On this day the world celebrates the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future.
This year's theme is The Gender Agenda: Gaining Momentum, which focuses on the influential role women play in global business. From Australia to the United Kingdom, from India to the United States, thousands of events are scheduled to take place. For example, in New York the Business Civic Leadership Center is hosting a forum entitled, How Economic Empowerment Strengthens Business. This important event brings together leaders committed to women's economic empowerment. Participants in the forum include Intel, the Ford Foundation, the US Chamber of Commerce, WalMart and the Girl Scouts.
Planet Aid celebrates the achievements of women and the global movement for championing gender equality. At the same time, we recognize that there is still more to be done. Women do not yet enjoy equal pay for equal work, are still not adequately represented in business or politics, and, worst of all, suffer from violence and abuse. We must continue to work toward erasing these wrongs.