Russia Celebrates International Women's Day

Russia Celebrates International Women's Day

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Men and women around the world celebrate International Women's Day on March 8th. It is a day when both sexes recognize the social, political, and economic achievements of women as well as the current challenges females face. The holiday is especially important to Russian citizens.

Russian women first observed International Women's Day in 1913 while holding peace rallies on the eve of World War I. The protests continued into the following year and women throughout Europe, in an expression of women's solidarity, joined the Russians in decrying the war.

These initial protests were only the beginning. On March 8, 1917, Russian women began striking "for bread and peace" in response to the deaths of over 2 million Russian soldiers in World War I. Their voices helped pave the way for the Czar's abdication and the leaders that followed agreed to grant Russian women the right to vote. Russian feminist Alexandra Kollontai came to power in the following years and in addition to championing women's rights and serving as the world's first female ambassador, she also persuaded Lenin to declare International Women's a Day a public holiday in the Soviet Union.

Since 1965, International Women's Day has been a non-working holiday in Russia. Friends, family, and co-workers celebrate together and banks, schools, and most businesses are closed for the day.

Though International Women's Day started as a feminist holiday it is now more of a cross between St. Valentine's Day and Mother's Day. Men honor women for their beauty, femininity, and mothering skills and present gifts of flowers, chocolate, perfume, makeup, etc. Breakfast in bed and a day's respite from household chores are also treats women enjoy on this special day. Unlike Mother's Day or Valentine's Day, however, men honor all women on International Women's Day. Every woman receives something special.

Although the holiday has gone from a celebration of women's achievements to a celebration of women in general, International Women's Day is still a significant holiday in Russia and its importance will continue for decades to come. On Monday, March 8th, Russian men and women and millions of other people around the world will mark this momentous day.


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