Learn all about International Women's Day
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| Hello, and welcome to the Culture Class- Holidays in Norway Series at NorwegianClass101.com. In this series, we’re exploring the traditions behind Norwegian holidays and observances. I’m Michael, and you're listening to Season 1, Lesson 17 International Women's Day. In Norwegian, it’s called Den internasjonale kvinnedagen. |
| As in many other countries, International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8 in Norway. International Women’s Day has been viewed as an important day for the Norwegian population, and is still widely recognized by most Norwegians. |
| In this lesson we will learn about International Women’s Day in Norway. |
| Now, before we get into more detail, do you know the answer to this question- |
| Can you guess how many Norwegians participated in the International Women’s Day demonstration parade in 1978? |
| If you don't already know, you’ll find out a bit later. Keep listening. |
| In the 1910 Copenhagen social international conference, German representative Clara Zatkin took the lead in establishing International Women’s Day on March 8. In the years that followed, the day was marked on the calendars of several countries, and Norway first recognized it in 1915. The goal at the time was to give women the right to vote, or stemme. |
| During the Second World War, in Norwegian andre verdenskrig, Women’s Day was celebrated in secrecy amongst Norwegian women who found each other in the resistance movements and concentration camps. |
| In later years, enthusiasm for participating in parades subsided, but women have continued to celebrate March 8 in Norway. In 2011, women demonstrated against the practice of photo-shopping, or bilderedigering, models, because of the misguided image it gives youth who consume such media. This is a case that is still demonstrated against, because the phenomenon is often seen as contributing to eating disorders, or spiseforstyrrelser. |
| In 2014, a new government came into office in Norway, aiming to implement rights of reservation for doctors over cases concerning abortion. Many Norwegians, both young and old, gathered in a parade on March 8 to protest the introduction of these policies. |
| Now it's time to answer our quiz question- |
| Can you guess how many Norwegians participated in the International Women’s Day demonstration parade in 1978? |
| In 1978, over 20,000 Norwegians participated in a demonstration. This was the same year that women were given self-determination in abortion rights and that the equality of status law was adopted, marking a very important year for Norwegian women. |
| So listeners, what did you think of this lesson? Did you learn anything interesting? |
| How do people celebrate Women’s Day in your country? |
| Leave us your comments at NorwegianClass101.com, and we'll see you in the next lesson. |
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