By Angela Luvera
The first International Women's Day (IWD) was organised by women active in the socialist movement in the early 1900s. They wanted to set aside a day on which women could organise for their demands and celebrate their achievements.
IWD was first celebrated in Australia on March 25, 1928. It was organised by militant women who were fighting for equal pay, an eight-hour day and rights for the unemployed. Around 4000 women marched through Sydney and a smaller march was held in Melbourne.
Since that time, rallies have been organised across Australia to protest against sexism. Many of the demands of today's rallies are the same: equal pay, jobs and justice for women. But there are also new demands for an end to sexual harassment, for abortion rights, solidarity with indigenous Australia, equality for lesbians and so on.
Join the IWD marches on March 6. Phone your Resistance branch for more information.
[Angela Luvera is on the NUS NSW Women's Committee.]