So I didn't know that today is International Women's Day and it got me
wondering, how many other important awareness days am I unaware of? 223
according to Wikipedia, I was surprised to learn. Which means that in a
365 days year when I woke in the morning I should be aware of something 61% of
the time, or rather more than once every other day.
But International Women's Day is recognized by the UN one might say. Ok so if consider awareness days that are recognized by some legitimate governing body (say UN, WHO, UNESCO, etc.) the number is more like 127 or 34% of the year (sorry unrecognized International Men's Day - November 19).
I say more like 127 because April 20th is listed as recognized by the 'Global cannabis culture' so one could argue which days are legitimate or not.
And one could even argue days recognized by legitimate governing parties. Example the UN recognizes 'World Television Day' on November 21st commemorating the date on which the first World Television Forum was held in 1996 (Germany opposed it citing that there were already three United Nations days encompassing similar subjects: World Press Freedom Day; World Telecommunication Day; and World Development Information Day). But nobody recognizes days like 'World Stroke Day' (October 29th) or 'World Obesity Day' (October 11th).
Side note: The UN seems to be behind the most awareness days and there are 4 awareness days with the word 'UN' in it.
United Nations Day (of course) - October 24th
International Day of UN Peacekeepers - May 29th
United Nations international day in support of Victims of Torture - June 26th
And my personal favorite: United Nations International Asteroid Day raises public awareness of the asteroid impact hazard - June 30th
They also recognize 'International Day of Nowruz' on March 21st. Do you know what Nowruz is? It's the name of the Iranian New Year. I'm not so sure why the UN thinks I should be aware of that other than for my general cultural knowledge but why isn't there a day for Lunar New Year or regular New Year (or is it Gregorian New Year? See? Perhaps I do need more awareness of this day!).
Maybe the UN is aware that perhaps on March 21st people want choice so there are 4 other UN recognized awareness days to choose from:
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
World Poetry Day
World Down Syndrome Day
International Day of Forests
And if you're not interested in any of the above days recognized by the UN know that the UN doesn't have an awareness day monopoly on March 21st as there is 'World Puppetry Day' which is recognized by the International Puppetry Association.
So yeah when my coworker asked me how I felt on International Women's Day I think it's great. On the other hand when you look at all the awareness days out there it starts to look like a politically touchy subject that nobody can solve so they give it a day to say 'We haven't forgotten this is a problem and we're on it, but not right now' (kind of like a 'VP' slapped on your job title because your boss doesn't want to give you a raise - because you're a woman, haha).
But in all seriousness really what has been done? It's great to have a day but we need more.
But International Women's Day is recognized by the UN one might say. Ok so if consider awareness days that are recognized by some legitimate governing body (say UN, WHO, UNESCO, etc.) the number is more like 127 or 34% of the year (sorry unrecognized International Men's Day - November 19).
I say more like 127 because April 20th is listed as recognized by the 'Global cannabis culture' so one could argue which days are legitimate or not.
And one could even argue days recognized by legitimate governing parties. Example the UN recognizes 'World Television Day' on November 21st commemorating the date on which the first World Television Forum was held in 1996 (Germany opposed it citing that there were already three United Nations days encompassing similar subjects: World Press Freedom Day; World Telecommunication Day; and World Development Information Day). But nobody recognizes days like 'World Stroke Day' (October 29th) or 'World Obesity Day' (October 11th).
Side note: The UN seems to be behind the most awareness days and there are 4 awareness days with the word 'UN' in it.
United Nations Day (of course) - October 24th
International Day of UN Peacekeepers - May 29th
United Nations international day in support of Victims of Torture - June 26th
And my personal favorite: United Nations International Asteroid Day raises public awareness of the asteroid impact hazard - June 30th
They also recognize 'International Day of Nowruz' on March 21st. Do you know what Nowruz is? It's the name of the Iranian New Year. I'm not so sure why the UN thinks I should be aware of that other than for my general cultural knowledge but why isn't there a day for Lunar New Year or regular New Year (or is it Gregorian New Year? See? Perhaps I do need more awareness of this day!).
Maybe the UN is aware that perhaps on March 21st people want choice so there are 4 other UN recognized awareness days to choose from:
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
World Poetry Day
World Down Syndrome Day
International Day of Forests
And if you're not interested in any of the above days recognized by the UN know that the UN doesn't have an awareness day monopoly on March 21st as there is 'World Puppetry Day' which is recognized by the International Puppetry Association.
So yeah when my coworker asked me how I felt on International Women's Day I think it's great. On the other hand when you look at all the awareness days out there it starts to look like a politically touchy subject that nobody can solve so they give it a day to say 'We haven't forgotten this is a problem and we're on it, but not right now' (kind of like a 'VP' slapped on your job title because your boss doesn't want to give you a raise - because you're a woman, haha).
But in all seriousness really what has been done? It's great to have a day but we need more.
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