This year marks a milestone in the movement for gender equality and the advancement of women -- the 11-year review of the Beijing Conference and Platform for Action. In 1995, women gathered in Beijing and took a giant step forward on behalf of humankind. As a result, the world recognized explicitly, as never before, that gender equality is critical to the development and peace of every nation. Eleven years on, women are not only more aware of their rights; they are more able to exercise them.

http://www.internationalwomensday.com/

http://www.womeninworldhistory.com/lesson.html

http://www.un.org/cyberschoolbus/womensday/pages/why_content.asp

http://www.un.org/events/women/iwd/2005/