7000 votes for equality: women demand holiday on March 8th!

7000 votes for equality: women demand holiday on March 8th!

Niedersachsen, Deutschland - On June 26, 2025, there is a breath of fresh air in Lower Saxony when it comes to gender equality. The ver.di State District Women's Council has a new brochure as part of the campaign "Holiday? March 8!" published. This campaign aims to tackle the persistent disadvantage of women in society. A petition was started with over 7000 signatures, which is now being treated in the Petitions Committee in Lower Saxony. The concern of introducing an additional holiday on International Women's Day, which will be celebrated worldwide on March 8th

The petition was launched on October 28, 2024 and quickly caused a sensation. Dunja Borges, the chairwoman of the State District Women's Council, clearly commented: People in Lower Saxony want the promised holiday to honor the rights of women won accordingly. Ute Gottschaar, deputy regional district manager, sees the high participation in the petition as an encouraging sign. She emphasizes that the opportunity for the concerns of the members of the committee comes to apply the arguments for the holiday during the committee.

argument for the holiday

A legal holiday on March 8 could send an important signal. The ver.di women lead several important points. Among other things, this holiday would indicate patriarchal structures and gender -specific grievances, such as the gender pay gap or the poverty in old age in women. Topics that are unfortunately still branded and push to the public. If the women's day is officially recognized as a holiday, according to Dunja Borges, society could be made more aware of these problems. Gender equality is a crucial pillar of democracy, and it affects all of us, regardless of gender or origin.

International Women's Day originated in the United States in 1909 and was institutionalized by the United Nations in 1975. Since then, the goals have been clear: combat violence and discrimination, promote gender equality. The motto for Women's Day 2025 reads: "For all women and girls: rights, equivalence and empowerment."

The situation of women worldwide

But despite all progress, there is still a lot to do. The Sustainable Development Report 2024 shows slight improvements in gender justice, at the same time women and girls are still often exposed to poverty, hunger and sexual violence. In Germany, over 167,000 cases of partnership violence were registered in 2023, with a clear majority of female victims. These numbers are alarming and make it clear that the topics of gender justice and protection of women urgently belong on the agenda.

In addition, there is still a significant gap in the gender-pay-gap in Germany. In 2023, the earnings status between men and women was 16%, which is an improvement, but is far from satisfactory. The proportion of women in management positions also remains behind the expectations with only 19% in the 200 -sales companies.

The brochure, which the ver.di state district women's council publishes, picks up these arguments and offers interested citizens the opportunity to actively contribute to the debate. Contacts and information on how to participate or distribute brochures can be found on the back of the publication. Another step towards gender equality is taken, with the hope of positive changes in society.