Annual Events

March 8 — International Women's Day

This is marked by women all around the world. International Women's Day focuses on ordinary women as makers of history and is rooted in the centuries-old struggle of women to participate in society on an equal footing with men. It first arose at the turn of the century, which in the industrialized world was a period of expansion and turbulence, booming population growth and radical ideologies.

March 21 — International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination was proclaimed in 1966 as a reminder of the events of March 21, 1960. It was on that day that police in Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid.

December 3 — International Day for Persons with Disabilities

International Day for Persons with Disabilities is aimed at bringing attention to the situation of people with disabilities, with a view to securing their equal dignity and participation in society. It was proclaimed in 1992, by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3. It seeks to increase awareness of gains from the integrating persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.

December 10 — International Human Rights Day

On December 10, 1948, members of the United Nations gathered in Paris to adopt the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Each year since then December 10th marks International Human Rights Day, the anniversary of the day that the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This unprecedented act was to ensure that the inherent dignity of every person is valued and protected.