ESL Lesson
International Women’s Day (IWD) is observed annually on March 8th. It is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, while also marking a call to action for accelerating gender parity. The day not only reflects on progress made but also advocates for continued efforts towards gender equality. Celebrated worldwide, IWD serves as a focal point in the movement for women’s rights and features various events including rallies, conferences, and cultural activities that highlight the contributions of women and ongoing struggles for gender equality.
Vocabulary:
- vibrant – fully alive
- discrimination – unfair treatment
- grim – harsh, relentless
- pandemic – disease spread over wide areas
- alleviate – reduce
- vulnerable — likelihood towards
- to exhort – to urge strongly
- moribund – stagnant, doesn’t move well
- pioneer – first to act
International Women’s Day Quiz
Prepare to challenge your knowledge with our International Women’s Day quiz! Below are ten questions that cover the history, significance, and global impact of International Women’s Day. This quiz is designed to test your understanding and encourage deeper reflection on the roles women have played and continue to play in shaping our world.
Grammar:
Each of these sentences contains one error. Find and correct the error.
Women urge unity to advance rights as they mark International Women’s Day
1) Women marked International Women’s Day around the world with vibrant calls for unity for advance sexual equality and women’s rights.
2) In Tehran several hundred of Iranian female activists staged a rally to mark of International Women’s Day, despite of warnings from authorities that the gathering was illegal. (Omit 3 words)
3) The United Nations urged man to reject violence against woman in
order to protect their daughter from the AIDS pandemic. (Three errors)
4) The Vatican asked the United Nations to condemn all sexual violence against women in a submission to the Commission on the Status of Women meet in New York.
5) Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat meanwhile called on women a world over to oppose the Israeli occupation in the speech marking International Women’s Day. (two errors)
6) In Italy, men reported spent five million euros (6.2 million dollars)
sending text messages on their cell phones to tell the women in their lives how much they appreciate them.
7) And Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi exhorted his countrywoman to have more babies, saying legislation must ensure that work and motherhoods are compatible and would spur the country’s development.
(two errors)
8) Several governments payed lip service to the women’s cause.
9) Stalinist North Korea also marked the day with a call for women to give birth to more children and take a leading role in revive the country’s moribund economy.
10) In Norway, often a pioneer in issues of gender equality, Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik said the country was in its way toward reaching its goal of becoming the first country with women in at least 40 percent of public sector management positions.
Frequently Asked Questions about International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day was first observed in 1911, inspired by the women’s rights movements in America and Europe. It aimed to promote equal rights, including suffrage for women. Over the years, it has evolved to focus on a broad range of women’s issues, including gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence against women.
March 8th became the fixed date when in 1917, women in Russia protested for “Bread and Peace” which contributed to the Russian Revolution. Recognizing the significance of the protest, Soviet Russia declared March 8th a national holiday, and it was later adopted globally in 1975 during International Women’s Year.
Each year, International Women’s Day is celebrated with a specific theme set by the United Nations. For instance, recent themes have included “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow” and “Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change.” These themes reflect current issues and challenges that impact women globally.
Celebrations vary widely across different cultures and countries. In some places, it is observed as a day of protest; in others, it is a day of celebration and acknowledgment of women in one’s life and society. Activities can range from public marches and speeches to social media campaigns and local community events.
Participation can vary from attending or organizing events, supporting women-owned businesses, advocating for gender equality, or educating oneself and others about the achievements and issues facing women globally. Many also wear purple ribbons as a symbol of solidarity on this day.
Answer Key:
1) Change “for” to “to”
2) Omit of 3 times
3) change to: men, women, daughters
4) meeting
5) switch a and the
6) reportedly
7) countrywomen, motherhood
8) paid
9) reviving
10) on its way