On 8 March, we celebrate International Women’s Day, a day that everyone should devote to the empowerment of women worldwide. To support the fight for gender equality, today we look back at all the amazing achievements last year, which placed feminist ideas in the headlines of all news channels throughout 2017. Starting with the tremendous success of Women’s March worldwide, which brought over 3.5 million people to the streets of 58 countries, and finishing with the influential #MeToo movement, 2017 has shown great advancements in gender equality issues.
This infographic demonstrates 9 noteworthy moments of 2017 as a memory of the success of 2017, and as an inspiration to move forward in 2018. Share this to celebrate International Women’s Day 2018 together!
International Women’s Day first emerged in 1909. Since those early years, International Women's Day has assumed a new global dimension for women in developed and developing countries alike. Increasingly, International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities.
- WOMEN’S MARCH
Over 3.5 million people globally march for gender equality.
- FIGHTING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Kyrgyzstan adopts a new law on domestic violence, improving protection for survivors, simplifying reporting procedures and introducing rehabilitation programmes for perpetrators.
- WONDER WOMAN
The first female-led superhero movie since Elektra in 2005 smashes entertainment records as the highest-grossing live-action female-directed movie worldwide, surpassing Iron Man and Man of Steel.
- AFRICAN WOMEN LEADERS NETWORK
Network seeks to maximize women’s leadership potential in Africa’s transformation with a focus on governance, peace and stability.
- FIGHTING CHILD MARRIAGE IN LATIN AMERICA
Trinidad and Tobago, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador make historic amendments of marriage acts to outlaw underage marriage.
- VICTIM MARRIAGE LAW ABOLISHED
Tunisia, Jordan and Lebanon scrap laws that allow rapists to escape punishment if they marry their victims.
- SAUDI ARABIAN WOMEN CAN DRIVE
Saudi Arabian government lifts the ban, which previously forbade women to acquire driver’s licenses.
- #METOO
#MeToo unleashes 1.7 million tweets across 85 countries in the first few weeks alone, exposing the scale of sexual harassment and assault women face.
- AUSTRALIA LEGALIZES SAME SEX MARRIAGE
After 22 failed attempts Australia legalizes same sex marriage, joining another 25 countries where it is already legal.