International Women’s Day in Portugal

Although the right for women to vote has been achieved, on the 8th of March, we celebrate International Women’s Day in Portugal to remember the achievements of women who, throughout history, have fought for their rights and against prejudice. Regardless of national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political divisions.

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The Date

The date is not a bank holiday in Portugal, but there will be multiple events around the country to signal the day. This includes debates at universities and feminist/activist talks to more informal nightlife celebrations, concerts and other events.

In 1910, the creation of a women’s day was proposed by Clara Zetkin, a German feminist, during the Second International Conference of Socialist Women. But it was only in the 1970s that the United Nations Organization recognized International Women’s Day.

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Origin and history of International Women’s Day

There are a few explanations for the origin of International Women’s Day being March 8th. One of them is the working women’s struggle for more rights and better living conditions in the factories. Add to this the suffragist movement that claimed the right to vote.

Some claim that the date was proposed because of a fire in 1857 in a factory in New York. However, this accident never existed and most likely referred to an accident that occurred in the same city in 1911.

March 8 was chosen because on this day in 1917, Russian women protested demanding better living conditions. The demonstration gathered more than 90 thousand workers and became known as “Bread and Peace”.

1975 was designated as International Women’s Year and the 8th of March was adopted as International Women’s Day by the United Nations.

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Vocabulary for International Women’s Day

dia 8 the março (8th of March)

Dia Internacional da Mulher (international women’s day)

direito de voto (right to vote)

Organização das Nações Unidas – ONU (United Nations Organisation)

lutas feministas (feminist fights)

feminismo (feminism)

igualdade (equality)

movimento pelo sufrágio feminino (movement for women’s suffrage)

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Phrases for International Women’s Day in Portugal

“Uma mulher deve ser duas coisas: quem e o que ela quiser.” (Coco Chanel) (A Girl should be two things: who and what she wants.)

“Uma mulher, quando reconhece a sua força, torna-se uma fonte inesgotável de inspiração.” (Rafael Nolêto) (A woman, when she recognises her strength, becomes an inexhaustible source of inspiration.)

“Nunca deve ter medo do que faz quando faz sempre o que é certo!” (Rosa Park) (You should never be afraid of what you do when you always do the right thing!)

#internationalwomensday #diainternacionaldamulher

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Poem by Flor de Lis – Mulher

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Related Lessons for Further Portuguese Learning

• Mulheres Portuguesas Importantes (Portuguese Listening Exercise – A1)
• A Padeira de Aljubarrota (The Aljubarrota Baker)

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