100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day (8 March) is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. In some places like China, Russia, Vietnam and Bulgaria, International Women’s Day is a national holiday. To celebrate the Centennial, many events and forums took place globally.  Investing in Women & Entrepreneurship: Solutions to MDG 3, was co-hosted at the United Nations headquarters by the U.S. Chamber Business Civic Leadership Center and the UN Office for Partnerships.  UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon discussed business opportunities for investment in women.  “One hundred years ago,” the Secretary-General said, “gender equality was a largely radical idea.  This century, we celebrate significant progress, but we must remember that although the gender gap is closing, far too many girls are denied schooling, and women and girls continue to endure unacceptable discrimination and violence.  At home, at school, in the workplace, and in the community, being female too often means discrimination.”  The United Nations has championed women’s issues in many ways, including the promotion of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG).  The third MDG—“promote gender equality and empower women”—is often noted to be foundational to achieve the other goals.  http://bclc.uschamber.com/Programs/global/un-investing-women.  Tina Brown, The Daily Beast and Newsweek will host their second annual Women in the World Stories and Solutions summit beginning Thursday where extraordinary leaders from every field will come together:  Speakers will include Christiane Amanpour, Melinda Gates, President Bill Clinton, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, two former secretaries of State, Madeleine Albright and Condoleezza Rice, Diane von Furstenberg, former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet and Barbara Walters.  http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsmaker/women-in-the-world