Each year women (and those who love and support them) around the world come together on March 8 in observance of International Women’s Day (IWD).
IWD has its roots in a group of women near and dear to our hearts: female garment workers.
Jobs in the garment industry were some of the first to empower women in the industrial workforce. The garment industry provided opportunities for employment, as well as a platform to gather and begin to demand more. In 1908, 15,000 women workers marched through New York City demanding shorter working hours, better pay, safer conditions and the right to vote. In 1909 “National Women’s Day,” was held on February 28 when the Socialist Party of America took to the streets to honor the garment workers who had protested against inhumane working conditions the year before. Celebrations by women, for women continued around the world on the last Sunday of February until 1913 when it was renamed “International Women’s Day” and came to be celebrated on March 8, as it is today. In 1975 it became a United Nations-sanctioned global holiday.
It’s been well over 100 years since the first International Women’s Day, and we’re still fighting for gender equality on many fronts. The theme for International Women’s Day 2020 #eachforequal calls for better gender balance in the boardroom, on the payroll, in government, in media coverage, and around access to health care.
At Belabumbum we take pride in doing our part to promote equality within our business practices. Belabumbum was created by women to support women – and we are pleased to share that many of our factories in South America are women owned and have women in upper management.
The apparel industry remains a challenging place to work for many women around the world as long hours, low pay and precarious conditions are still a problem at many garment factories. But at Belabumbum, we prioritize fairness and care along our supply chain and are committed to promoting women’s well-being and work / life balance.
Learn more about our social mission and fair business practices.
Fashion is a choice we get to make every day. do you help forge a gender equal world, celebrate women’s achievements and take action for equality? Click here to find an International Women’s Day event in your area.
