International Women's Day

Women's Day (a worksheet)

Activity 1

Describe the picture and answer the questions:

1. What day is it?

2. Why does the man say: “Don’t get too used to it, tomorrow you will make me a royal sandwich”?

Activity 2

Discuss the following questions:

1. What day is it?

2. Why does the man say: “Don’t get too used to it, tomorrow you will make me a royal sandwich”?

1. What is International Women’s Day?

2. When and where is it celebrated?

3. Why does it exist?

4. What are the values of this International Day?

Activity 3

Read the text and answer the questions:

When was the first Women’s Day?

Does Women’s Day have a political context nowadays?

History of the International Women's Day

International Women's Day is celebrated in many countries around the world. It is a day when women are recognized for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political. International Women's Day first emerged from the activities of labour movements at the turn of the twentieth century in North America and across Europe.

The earliest Women's Day observance, called "National Women's Day," was held on February 28, 1909, in New York. The Socialist Party of America designated this day in honor of the 1908 garment workers' strike in New York, where women protested against working conditions.

On March 8, 1917, in the capital of the Russian Empire, Petrograd, women textile workers began a demonstration, covering the whole city. Women in Saint Petersburg went on strike that day for "Bread and Peace" – demanding the end of World War I, an end to Russian food shortages, and the end of czarism. Seven days later, the Emperor of Russia, Nicholas II, gave up and women were granted the right to vote.

Following the October Revolution, the Bolshevik Alexandra Kollontai and Vladimir Lenin made it an official holiday in the Soviet Union. But only on May 8, 1965, International Women's Day was declared a non-working day in the USSR.

Nowadays, it is customary for men to give the women in their lives – friends, mothers, wives, girlfriends, daughters, colleagues – flowers and small gifts. In some countries (such as Bulgaria and Romania) it is also considered to be Mothers’ Day. Children give small presents to their mothers and grandmothers. In Russia, the day has lost all political context through time, becoming simply a day to honour women and feminine beauty.

Activity 4

Mark the sentences True/False.

1. International Women’s Day is considered to be a holiday to honor women’s equality.

2. In 1908 women protested their family conditions in New York.

3. Women, who began a demonstration in Petrograd, had three requirements - the end of

democracy, war, and food shortage.

4. After the October Revolution Vladimir Lenin made it an official non - working day.

5. It is accepted for men to give various presents to their wives, mothers, sisters or daughters on this holiday.

6. People in Bulgaria and Romania celebrate Men’s Day together with Women’s Day.

Activity 5

Match the words with their definitions.

Activity 6

Fill in the gaps with the following words using them in the correct form:

move, short, celebrate, demonstrate, custom, vote, protest, honor, declare, achieve.

1. It is _________ for the chairman to make the opening speech.

2. Easter is usually __________ in spring.

3. Tom noticed a great _________ in his working process.

4. In 1908 women went on strike and __________ against working conditions.

5. They organized a _________ against slavery.

6. There’s a __________ of food and shelter in the refugee camps.

7. In 1965 International Women's Day _________ a non-working day.

8. The students are holding a _________to protest against the increase in their fees.

9. Presidential elections were held last year and Tom ________ for George Bush.

10. Today we ________ our soldiers.

Activity 7

Watch the video. Click QR-code. What is the main idea of the episode?

Activity 8

Watch the video again and match the sentence halves.

Activity 9

Discuss the following questions with your pairs:

1. How do you celebrate Women's Day in your family?

2. What are you going to give your mother or sister on this day?

4. Do you prefer celebrating at home or in a restaurant?

5. Have you ever had a memorable celebration of women's day? What was exciting in it?

6. Do you consider women's equality to be closely connected with International Women's day?

7. Are women treated equally today? Give specific examples to prove your answer.

Words to use: honor, celebrate, equality, holiday, equal rights, customary, movement, vote, strike.