[page 7]
March 8, 1975, is the 55th International Women's day. 1975 is also International Women's Year. But the origins of these two events are very different. The former was originated and organised by women, in commemoration of struggles led by women. IWY, on the other hand, has been declared on behalf of women by the United Nations.
The origins of International Women's Day are slightly confused. On February 28 1907, women socialists in the USA organised the first "Women's Day' to demand political rights for working women. In 1910 Clara Zetkin proposed to the second International Conference of Socialist Working Women that an annual celebration of Women's Day should be held. The first one was on March 19, 1911, on the anniversary of an uprising of the Prussian proletariat in 1848 In 1913, the date was changed to March 8. This was the anniversary of an important strike by women textile workers in New York in the 1880s.
This date took on a new significance in 1917. It was the day that the February Revolution (under the old Russian calendar) broke out, led by working women of Petrograd. The city was in a ferment, but the the social democrats (the revolutionaries) who enjoyed much popular support, felt the time was hot ripe for strikes. They knew these would lead to open revolt, which they did not feel the workers were yet prepayed for.
But the women were determined to celebrate February 23 (March 8) as usual. The women textile workers struck and called on the metal workers for support. This was the spark that led to the February Revolution and tries and to the strengthening of world peace.
Of course, any recognition of the fact that women are oppressed is to be welcomed. Women's groups should use the fact that this is IWY as a lever —it will make it easier to force trade unjons, trades councils and other bodies to organise women's conferences and meetings, over which it is essential that, women activists have control. The liberation of women cannot come as a gift from the UN, a body which represents the very systems that serve to oppress women!
1975 is the year the Equal Pay Act becomes legally enforceable, and we are also promised anti-discrimination legislation. The co-incidence lies in the fact that these, too, are attempts at co-option -attempts to head off growing campaigns to obtain what is ours by right, not as a gift —and not in the muted and distorted way which will guaranter neither real equal pay nor opportunity.
Amongst other things, the TUC is planning to prepare an up to date history of women in the Trade Unions very welcome news; to advise unions on changes in their rules as they effect women; and to encourage them to org anise special activities; they are oganising a demonstration in summer; and putting forward a special motion to the women's TUC.
Even so, IWY does give us some opportunities, especially through the WW, and we should seize them. But if International Women's Day is to become a reality, not just in 1975.