International Women's Day, in France and Around the World

All over the world, March 8 is a day to raise awareness and take action for women's rights and gender equality. Created in 1977 by the United Nations, and made official in France in 1982, the date is celebrated as International Women's Day

THE UN'S GENERATION EQUALITY CAMPAIGN

Every year, the UN selects a theme around which various events in support of women are planned. In 2020, the theme is I am Generation Equality:  Realizing Women's Rights. This year marks the 25^th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration (China), the initial road map in support of gender equality and the autonomy of women.

The UN states that this year the Generation Equality campaign, in line with the goals of the declaration, will help bring together "people of all genders, ages, ethnicities, races, religions and nations to take action and build a world in which gender equality reigns."

A WIDE SELECTION OF SYMBOLIC EVENTS IN FRANCE

To explore these themes and honor the women of yesterday, today and tomorrow and their battles and successes,  multiple events have been organized throughout France in educational, research, cultural and historic locations. Like many French institutions, the Ministry of Culture lists some of these events on its website:

- Women in Engineering Day at the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie in Paris on March 8, a special exhibit showcasing a wide variety of engineering sciences and the interest these fields hold for women.

- Femmes en Révolution at the Conciergerie in Paris honors women who have made history with an exhibit and a lecture series from March 6 to April 3.

-   Trajectoires Construites at the Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine on March 8, with events and discussions between professionals in the field of architecture  (architects, landscapers, teachers, researchers, etc.), to hear more about the experiences of women working in architecture.

Other regional activities have also been scheduled, mainly at higher education and research establishments. Make sure to check local resources in your city for more information.

A PRIZE FOR GENDER EQUALITY

As part of the festivities, on March 3 the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Secretary of State for Gender Equality awarded the Simone Veil Prize of the French Republic for gender equality. The prize honors a person working in the world to support the rights and conditions of women. The 2020 prize was awarded to Ruth Maribel Montenegro, member of the Ecuadorian collective Vivas nos queremos, an artistic feminist movement that denounces violence against women and fights particularly for abortion rights.

To find out more:

• UN - Generation Equality
• cultural events celebrating International Women's Day
• presentation of the Simone Veil Prize of the French Republic