March 8th is the annual celebration of International Women's Day. The holiday has political roots and is prevalent in former Soviet countries and currently/previously socialist countries. Many international organizations mark the holiday with campaigns for gender equality. In its regular celebration in Moldova, though, it reminds me much of how Mother's Day is observed as I saw in the US (particularly, that it conflates womanhood with motherhood). Here is how the holiday is described in the Peace Corps Moldova book "Sărbătorile de Primăvară: Spring Holidays”: "This holiday celebrates all that women do, and most especially from the male point of view, women themselves. In the Soviet period this was an official state holiday where women were congratulated in the media and through ceremony. Now men in the workplace usually organize a party for women. Gifts of candy and flowers are given by friends and relatives." My colleagues are organizing a banquet for themselves to celebrate with food and drink, as are my significant other's colleagues. Many have said that this is the one day a year that their husbands might prepare food at home or do a household task like sweeping the floor or washing dishes. Many still do that work, though, and *instead* receive a present. When I respond to the question "Do you celebrate Women's Day in the US?" with, "Sometimes, usually through sociopolitical activism against gender inequality" my colleagues seem to be disappointed and have expressed condolences for the loss of time off and gifts. Our school and most places of work are closed to mark the holiday. Children participate in many pageants/concerts/events to mark the event, overwhelmingly containing songs and poetry about motherhood. Many banquets will be held all over and many people will prepare meals for guests in their homes. For more, here is The Surprising History of International Women's Day, information from UN Women about this year's campaign related to the day. and more on international gender parity campaign for Women's Day. I worked with our Language & Intercultural Competence team as well as other Peace Corps Volunteers to make a video about Let Girls Learn to honor the day:
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Rebecca LehmanHealth Education volunteer serving at Boris Dînga Middle & High School in Criuleni, Moldova. Archives
May 2017
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