As far back as I can remember International Women’s Day was always celebrated in my house as a child.
My family emigrated here from Russian eons ago. I was the first generation born in the United States.
We didn’t celebrate the American Mother’s Day. Our Mothers Day came 2 months earlier in March.
My mother would be showered with flowers and gifts like no other day. I had always believed this was just a Russian tradition. It wasn’t until a few years ago that I learned it was celebrated all over the world, well expect for the United States.
I learned that its not just about Mothers
but about all women, in most countries!
IWD is now an official holiday in Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, China (for women only), Cuba, Georgia, Guinea-Bissau, Eritrea, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Madagascar (for women only), Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Nepal (for women only), Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Zambia. The tradition sees men honouring their mothers, wives, girlfriends, colleagues, etc with flowers and small gifts. In some countries IWD has the equivalent status of Mother’s Day where children give small presents to their mothers and grandmothers.
Men, here’s your chance to start a new tradition in your home that the women in your life will appreciate and remember forever.