Women's Equality Day 2020 image: The day is marked on August 26 every year
Women's Equality Day: The 100th anniversary of the Women's Equality Day is being observed in the United States. The day is observed primarily in the US on August 26, to commemorate American women getting the constitutional right to vote. The Nineteenth Amendment to the US Constitution was adopted in 1920. The law prohibits denying citizens, of the United States, the right to vote on the basis of gender.
Women's Equality Day: History and significance
Women's Equality Day was first marked in 1972. It is proclaimed each year by the President of the United States. President Richard Nixon had issued the first official proclamation. Since then, every US president has issued a proclamation designating August 26 as Women's Equality Day.
Former US president Barack Obama's proclamation read, "Nearly one century ago, with boundless courage and relentless commitment, dedicated women who had marched, advocated, and organized for the right to cast a vote finally saw their efforts rewarded on August 26, 1920, when the 19th Amendment was certified and the right to vote was secured. In the decades that followed, that precious right has bolstered generations of women and empowered them to stand up, speak out, and steer the country they love in a more equal direction."
Women's Equality Day 2020: 100th Anniversary
Ahead of the 100th anniversary of the Women's Equality Day, former US first lady, Michelle Obama took to Twitter and wrote, "The struggle for women's suffrage was long-and even longer for women of color-but generations of women knew that our vote was our voice....".
US envoy to India, Ken Juster posted, "Today, we mark the 100th anniversary of the certification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, securing for women the right to vote. On this #WomensEqualityDay, we honor those across the world who continue to work for gender equality."
Women's Equality Day is now often observed across the world to encourage and spread awareness about women's empowerment. The Twitter handle - Mann Ki Baat Updates - where all about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Sunday radio interactions are posted, put up a video of portions of the PM's Independence Day speech on achievements of Indian women.
Women's Equality Day: Here's how women show solidarity.
- Internationally, purple is a colour symbolizing women's equality. It is said to have originated from the Women's Social and Political Union in the UK in 1908. Purple signifies justice and dignity.
- Purple Wristband: You can get a purple rubber or latex band and wear it on your wrist. There are bands made of woven threads and cloth that you can opt for.
- Purple Top: Many women go for a plain purple top or T-shirt. You have one with 'women empowerment' quote on it.
- Purple Ribbon: One of the easiest ways to observe the day is to get a purple ribbon and tie it on your arm or wrist
- Purple Scarf: Wear a purple scarf around your neck or on your head