International Women’s Day … KVK, wyra on 08.03.2022

International Women’s Day first emerged from the activities of labour movements at the turn of 20th century across North America and Europe. The first National Women's Day was observed in USA on 28th February, 1909 in honour of 1908 garment workers' strike in New York where women protested against harsh working conditions. In 1917, women in Russia chose to protest and strike under the slogan "Bread and Peace" on last Sunday in February (which fell on 8th March of Gregorian calendar). Their movement ultimately led to enactment of women’s suffrage in Russia as per UNESCO. It was in 1945 that the Charter of the United Nations became the first international agreement to affirm the principle of equality between women and men but it was only on March 8thduring International Women’s Year in 1975 that the UN celebrated its first official International Women's Day. Later in December 1977, the General Assembly adopted a resolution that proclaimed a United Nation’s Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace to be observed on any day of the year by Member States, in accordance with their historical and national traditions. Finally, following its adoption by the United Nations in 1977, International Women’s Day became a mainstream global holiday where member states were invited to proclaim March 8th as an official UN holiday for women's rights and world peace. “International Women's Day” is an occasion to celebrate the progress made in not only achieving gender equality and women's empowerment but also to critically reflect on these accomplishments and strive for a greater momentum towards gender equality worldwide. It is a day to recognize the extraordinary acts of women and to stand together, as a united force, to advance gender equality around the world. International Women's Day is not specific to any country, group or organisation but is celebrated across all nations. The day belongs to women everywhere to identify, celebrate and increase visibility of women's achievements. The United Nation decided on the theme for 2022 as“Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow”. The vital link between gender, social equity and climate change is being recognized and without gender equality today, a sustainable future, an equal future, remains out of reach even in the coming generations. The women and girls experience the greatest impacts of the climate crisis as it amplifies existing gender inequalities and puts women’s lives and livelihoods at risk. Across the world, women depend more on natural resources yet have less access to them and often bear a disproportionate responsibility for securing food, water and fuel for the family. As women and girls bear the burden of climate impacts, they are also essential force that is leading and driving change in climate adaption, mitigation and solutions. Without the inclusion of half of the world's population, it is unlikely that solutions for a sustainable planet and a gender equal world tomorrow will be realized.  KVK, Wyra celebrated this day with 52 farm women and students along with Dr. K. Kishore, Executive Officer, DLDA, Khammam, Dr. J. Hemantha Kumar, Programme Coordinator and Scientists Dr. Jessie Suneetha W, Dr. K. Ravi Kumar and Mrs. P. S. M. Phanisri. All the speakers reiterated the role of women in agriculture, in household activities and as an ever-growing work force. Women of today are breaking the restraints of gender bias and entering in fields previously considered as only men’s arena. For the agricultural sector to progress, empowerment of women is as much essential as grooming them to harness their entrepreneurial skills.