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Berlin Just Made International Women's Day A Public Holiday

Berlin Just Made International Women's Day A Public Holiday

“Today is a big sign that we are making progress on the road to equality between women and men.”

Emma Rosemurgey

Emma Rosemurgey

It's International Women's Day, and most of us are celebrating by shouting out all the incredible and inspiring women in our lives. Meanwhile, our German cousins across the pond have nailed it by making IWD a public holiday for the first time ever.

Berlin is celebrating the day, known as Frauntag in Germany, by allowing workers and students to have the day off, and we like their way of thinking.

PA Images

The capital city's government is made up of a coalition of Social Democrats, Left Party and the Green Party, who pushed for International Women's Day to become the 10th official holiday for Berlin.

However, Conservative parties were pushing for the protestant Reformation Day to become the city's next holiday, but the coalition opted for a non-religious occasion to reflect Berlin's multicultural residents. The city's parliament voted 87-60 in favour of making IWD the official holiday.

PA Images

Social Democrat Derya Caglar said of the vote: "Today is a big sign that we are making progress on the road to equality between women and men."

Before the decision was made, Berlin had just nine public holidays, which is fewer than any other state in the country.

PA Images

But how have the people of Berlin chosen to spend their day off? Well, with a feminist film festival - which sounds incredible, btw - and with protests against fascism, the patriarchy and in favour of more bicycles. You know, all the important stuff.

Berlin has now joined a number of countries that celebrate International Women's Day as a public holiday, including Russia, Cuba, Georgia in the US, Cambodia, Vietnam and China (but only for women).

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International Women's Day was first recognised by the United Nations in 1975 when they adopted the holiday as its own.

Now, I think we all need to persuade the British government to follow suit.

Featured Image Credit: PA Images

Topics: News, Real, International Women's Day