Berlin’s parliament has declared International Women’s Day an official public holiday. It is the first of Germany’s 16 federal states to acknowledge Frauentag (Women’s Day) with a public holiday. The holiday was passed through government with 87 votes to 60.

German Consul General Peter Silberberg said Berlin was leading the way by making Women’s Day a public holiday. The Consul General stated that the day is an important occasion to reflect on what still needs to be done to achieve social, economic, cultural and political equality for women across all countries around the world. The Consul General recognised that while women’s rights have improved since the inception of the day, Germany, and the rest of the World, still have a long ways to go.

International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8 every year bringing focus to the movement for women’s rights. The day is often marked by marches and protests around the world.

The first ever Women’s Day was celebrated by the Socialist Party of America who marched on February 29 1909 in New York City. After this, the 1910 International Socialist Woman’s Conference suggested that a Women’s Day be held annually.

The date of March 8 was settled upon in Soviet Russia after women gained suffrage there in 1917, and was adopted by the United Nations in 1975.

International Women’s Day is a national holiday in several countries around the world including Armenia, China (for women only), Laos, Mongolia, Uganda and Vietnam.

In Australia, while the day has yet to reach the status of a public holiday, the celebration is marked by various events throughout the days preceding.

The Nicholes staff have been fortunate enough to attend various inspiring events this week to mark the celebration of women around the world.