On August 27, 1910, the 2nd International Socialist Women’s Conference in Copenhagen decided that all countries should hold an International Women’s Day every year.
By Anette Eklund Hansen
Socialist women form an international organization
In 1907, socialist women representing the labor parties in the industrialized countries of the time gathered for the first International Working Women’s Conference in Stuttgart. The conference was held in conjunction with the II. Internationale’s congress in Stuttgart. (The II. Internationale was the international organization of the workers’ parties). The German working women’s movement, led by Clara Zetkin, had taken the initiative to convene the conference.
The aim of the first conference was to create a common organization for socialist women around the world, so that they could be stronger in the struggle to improve the conditions of working women both nationally and internationally. The main topics of the conference were:
Reports on working women’s conditions and organizations in each country,
Building an international organization of socialist women
The struggle for the right to vote.
The result of the conference negotiations was the founding of the International Socialist Women’s Bureau, headed by Clara Zetkin, and the German socialist women’s movement’s magazine Die Gleichheit as a coordination and information magazine for socialist women in all countries. An international socialist women’s movement had been founded.
The Women’s Congress. In front of the Assembly Building on Jagtvej. Photocopied newspaper photo
The Working Women’s 2nd International Socialist Conference in Copenhagen in 1910
The conference took place on August 26-27 in Copenhagen and was held in the workers’ assembly building Jagtvej 69. The president of the conference was Clare Zetkin, as head of the International Socialist Women’s Secretariat. The Danish organizers of the conference were Nina Bang, Socialdemokratisk Forbund, Elisabeth Mac, President of Socialdemokratisk Kvindeforening, Hildora Mouritzen (treasurer), and Henriette Crone (secretary), both from De kvindelige trykkeriarbejderes Fagforening
99 women attended the conference from 17 countries. Among the participants were many of the leading women of the international socialist women’s movement at the time, in addition to Clara Zetkin from Germany, Alexandra Kollontai from Russia, Adelheid Popp from Austria, Dora Montefiori from England and Kata Dahlström from Sweden. 33 women from the Danish trade union and political labor movement participated.
Elisabeth Mac, as the Danish vice president of the conference, welcomed the assembly, after which the Gutenberg Choir sang a cantata with text by A.C. Meyer. Clara Zetkin then continued:
Fellow party members! It was with palpitations that we went to the first conference three years ago in Stuttgart. All beginnings are difficult, as was the case with Christianity: first there was one, then twelve, then a hundred and now millions. This is how the international women’s movement is progressing. Nothing can stop it. We have traveled across the lands, sailed across the seas and arrived here. Can anyone point to any boundary markers, I don’t see them. She concluded by stating that tactics must be different for women and men, and that women need liberation more than men.
The conference had three main points for debate:
Further development of relations between the organized women party members in the individual countries
Ways and means for the practical work to win universal women’s suffrage
Society’s care for mother and child
Each country had submitted reports on the situation of the working women’s movement and Clara Zetkin was re-elected as International Women’s Secretary. The second main item on the agenda was “Ways and means for the practical Work for the Conquest of Universal Suffrage”. A topic that concerned women in all industrialized countries. In 1910, only women in Finland had the right to vote. Therefore, women worked both nationally and internationally to gain the right to vote on an equal footing with men.
Invitation to the congress
In Denmark, both bourgeois and social democratic women’s associations had been fighting for women’s equality and the right to vote for many years. In 1908, women had won the right to vote for municipal councils. At the conference, there was some disagreement about what the demand for the right to vote should be, but the majority eventually agreed that all women should have the right to vote, i.e. that all women regardless of economic background should have the right to vote. In support of the struggle for the right to vote, Clara Zetkin presented a draft resolution with this wording:
“In agreement with the class-conscious political and trade union organizations of the proletariat, socialist women in all countries shall organize an annual Women’s Day, the primary purpose of which shall be agitation for women’s suffrage. This demand must be seen in the context of the socialist conception. Women’s Day must have an international character and be carefully prepared.”
The proposal was adopted with great support.
The inspiration for the proposal for an International Women’s Day came from the American women who, in their report to Congress, proposed that an International Socialist Women’s Day should be held every year. In the US, socialist women had organized a Women’s Day for the first time in 1909, as a demonstration day in the fight for suffrage. Women’s Day had been held in many states with great support.
For the final item on “Society’s care for mother and child“, the Finnish delegation had submitted a resolution demanding, among other things, care for working women during pregnancy, maternity leave and allowances, equality for unmarried mothers, child welfare and a ban on infanticide. The assembly supported these and other demands that addressed the conditions of working women and children, both as workers in industry and as citizens in early industrial society.
One issue on which there was no consensus was raised by Henriette Crone. She presented a resolution calling for a ban on night work for both women and men.
Social Democrats both in Denmark and abroad demanded a ban on night work for women based on a position to protect the working woman and mother. As it turned out, a majority of both Danish and Swedish women were against this. They feared that a ban would cause them to lose their jobs to men when there were different rules for men and women in the labor market. Henriette Crone herself would lose her job as a print shop worker if a ban on night work for women was passed.
The extent of women’s work at night was not significant in Denmark at the time, but the principle of inequality was important. The resolution was voted down, but it had given rise to a vociferous discussion.
Much more time could have been spent discussing the big issues at the conference. But the discussions could continue in the evening at a meeting in Grundtvig’s house, where Clara Zetkin, Adelheid Popp and Alexandra Kollontai were among the speakers.
The next International Socialist Women’s Conference was held in Bern in 1915, where the theme was peace. In 1914, World War I had broken out and threatened to split both the labor and women’s movements in the Western world. The International Women’s Secretariat, led by Clara Zetkin, continued for a few more years as the coordination center for the socialist women’s movement.
In Denmark, women gained the right to vote in 1915, and there was never a ban on night work for women. International Working Women’s Day was held from 1911-1917, and until 1915 the slogan was: universal suffrage for women. But the peace theme then took over, and in 1915 it was expressed in this way:
“Socialist women, gathered on International Women’s Day in Copenhagen on March 7th, declare their abhorrence of war and voice the women’s demand for peace. We express the firm will for peace that prevails in our country, and we feel ourselves in agreement with millions of women in all countries…”
Poster for International Women’s Day in Grundtvig’s House
International Women’s Day in Denmark after the 1910 Congress
In 1911, International Women’s Day was celebrated in Denmark on March 19, the same day as Women’s Day was celebrated in Germany, Austria and several other countries. The previews of the meetings in the Social Democrat strongly emphasized the international cooperation on Women’s Day, and the newspaper reported on the day’s events in Germany and Austria. The newspaper wrote to the Danish women:
March 19 must be Women’s Day, and the demands from the meetings must be carried forward by the many women who lack civil rights
The day was used as a day of demonstration and agitation for women’s right to vote for the Danish Parliament. In 1908, Danish women had been granted the right to vote in municipal elections. In the subsequent municipal elections in 1909, 127 women were elected, 32 of whom were Social Democrats. Together with the joint organizations, the Social Democratic Party arranged meetings in Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Aarhus, Esbjerg and Kolding. In Copenhagen and Frederiksberg alone, 5 meetings were held.
The German version of the draft resolution 1911
The meetings in Copenhagen started at 3 in the afternoon and were held at Folkets hus on Jagtvejen and at Håndværkerforeningen. The speakers were prominent women in the labor movement: Elisabeth Mac, Andrea Brochmann, Nina Bang, Anna Johansen, Emma Petersen and Katrine Jørgensen. Many women showed up. 800-900 in Håndværkerforeningen, so the meeting had to be held outdoors. In the People’s House, 600 women gathered and adopted this resolution:
The Assembly expresses its indignation and regret that women are still excluded from participating in the elections to the Danish Parliament and from being eligible for election to the same. We fully endorse the increasingly fervent worldwide desire for the political equality of women with other members of society.
The present position is morally oppressive to a large number of people, harmful to the interests of society and contrary to the democratic views of the present day, and this discrepancy should therefore be eliminated.
The Assembly expresses its support for the position taken by the Social Democratic Party in the Danish Parliament on the question of electoral rights and calls on the Government and the Parliament to implement as soon as possible the proposal adopted by the Danish Parliament for amendments to the Constitution, whereby women are granted political suffrage.
8. march resolution 1916
In 1912, Women’s Day was celebrated on Sunday, March 3.
The day was again used to demonstrate for women’s suffrage. Several prominent Social Democratic women spoke at the meeting: Henriette Crone, Anna Johansen, Anna Jensen, Andrea Brochmann, Nina Bang and Helene Berg. The speakers encouraged the participants to support the Social Democratic Party in the upcoming elections. As in 1911, the meeting adopted a resolution, which among other things stated: “…We have obtained municipal suffrage, we should use it, and in exercising this right of citizenship we once again raise the demand for political suffrage, for equality in all respects with men.”
In 1913 there were municipal elections
International Women’s Day was therefore also used as a day of agitation to gain working women’s support for the Social Democratic Party. The slogan was: “Working women’s turnout puts bread in the house”. On March 2, two women’s meetings were held in Folkets hus on Jagtvejen in Kæden in Dr. Tværgade. Again, the leading women in the Social Democratic Party gave the speeches, among others: Nina Bang, Anna Johansen, Helga Larsen, Camilla Nielsen and Andrea Brochmann.
In 1914, the Social Democrat wrote on March 8th:
WOMEN. Meet today at 4 pm in the Winter Palace for a demonstration for women’s suffrage. All over the world, women are gathering in ever-larger crowds to demand equality with men and the time is approaching when the demand must be met.
The following day, the Social Democrat newspaper reported that Nina Bang and Camilla Nielsen were among the speakers to a hall “filled to overflowing”. Many even had to leave in vain for the meeting on the constitutional case and women’s suffrage. Nina Bang spoke about the fight for the right to vote:
We should not forget that it was the Social Democrats who first raised this demand – met with derision from the Right. Now that the gun-carrying conservatives have given up their sulkiness, it is in the hope that women’s suffrage will strengthen the reaction. The Social Democratic Party demands women’s suffrage as a demand for justice, and in return it hopes that the statistics will not be allowed to show a greater political interest among upper-class women more than once. It is precisely working-class women who need the right to vote the most, because every issue of public life affects their well-being..
Women get the right to vote in 1915
On June 5, 1915, the Reichstag decided that women, along with servants, should also have the right to vote for the Reichstag. The goal of many years of struggle was achieved.
Women as a target group in the 1920 election
In 1915, International Women’s Day was held on March 7 in Copenhagen.
The slogans and resolution were influenced by foreign policy events, which had also hit the Social Democratic parties hard. In 1914, World War I had broken out. This led to a split among the workers’ parties in the Second International, and the union collapsed.
The meeting was held on March 7 in the assembly building in Rømersgade. The topic for the day’s speakers was Women, War and Socialism. The invitation emphasized the connection to International Socialist Women’s Day.
Henriette Crone, Andrea Brochmann and Camilla Nielsen and Frederik Borgbjerg addressed the large gathering. They spoke about the horror of war and all the human suffering that was the result of war. They argued for women’s right of participation in order to create a better and more peaceful society. Greetings from the Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish Social Democratic Women’s Federations were read out, with the Norwegian greeting briefly summarizing the intention:
On March 7, our hope for peace will unite. Long live international brotherhood! With greetings of solidarity.
The assembly then adopted a resolution calling for peace:
Socialist women, gathered on International Women’s Day in Copenhagen on March 7th, declare their abhorrence of war and voice the women’s demand for peace… We declare the firm will for peace that prevails in our country, and we feel ourselves in agreement with millions of women in all countries..
Women’s Day in 1916 took place on March 5 and, as the year before, was held in the Assembly Building in Rømersgade.
The topic was the same as the year before: Women, war and socialism.
The program included music, singing and speeches: 1. Music: Potpouri of workers’ melodies 2. American Patrol Mrs. Sofie Rasmussen opens Mrs. Camilla Nielsen conducts Citizen representative Mrs. Nina Bang (speaker) 3. Music: In light steps 4. Mrs. Helga Larsen (speaker) 5. The song of peace is sung (Der er et yndigt land) Chairman of Husassistenternes Forbund, Ms. Marie Christensen 6. Music: Battalion march Chairman of the female printing workers’ union, Ms. Henriette Crone Resolution – vote 7. International is sung The conductor concludes (The women – the electoral lists) 8. The Socialists’ March is played as the audience leaves the hall
In 1917, International Women’s Day was first celebrated on April 15.
Women’s Day was a joint Scandinavian peace demonstration. The meeting was held in the assembly building in Rømersgade, where the hall was “filled to capacity” with mainly women, but many men also attended. The Swedish and Norwegian Social Democratic Women’s Associations had sent greetings to the meeting, and the Danish women responded with a greeting:
“Danish socialist women, gathered for the meeting on Women’s Day in Copenhagen, send heartfelt greetings to sisters in Sweden and Norway. Our feeble voice echoes the demand for peace throughout the world. Our struggle in the future is for the origin of war: Capitalism.
Andrea Brochmann, Vilhelm Rasmussen, Marie Christensen and Stauning then spoke. All spoke about the devastation and human suffering caused by war and the opportunities for women to work for peace. Marie Christensen said, among other things, that the war had called women out of the sidelines and shown them that they had both the right and the duty to speak out about the development of society. Women could never be on the side of militarism. On the contrary, women had to become politically equal to men.
In between speeches, a large women’s choir entertained and the assembly sang a peace song written by A.C. Meyer. Finally, the meeting adopted a resolution calling for peace and understanding between peoples:
…Lasting peace can only be achieved by destroying the existing capitalist social system, which is the root cause of war..
Judging by the sources, International Women’s Day was a success in Denmark. Women turned out in large numbers. The international flavor was reflected in the invitations and in the resolutions, where the themes were the demand for women’s suffrage and the desire for peace between peoples. The split in the socialist labor movement probably helped put an end to the first series of International Women’s Days.
New foundations for International Women’s Day in the 1920s
The II International was dissolved at the outbreak of war, but in 1923 the new Socialist Workers’ International (SAI) was formed. At the same time, socialist women held the first international women’s conference under the SAI. Here too, the common Women’s Day was put on the agenda.
It was up to each individual country to decide whether and how to organize a Women’s Day. A number of countries, including Germany, Austria, the Netherlands and France, held International Women’s Day or International Women’s Week until the Nazi takeover in 1933.
International Women’s Day becomes March 8
The Soviet Union was founded after the Russian Revolution in 1917. In 1919, the Third International was formed by the Soviet Union and the communist parties of other countries. Communist women held their second conference in 1921 in Moscow. Here, the participants decided to introduce International Women’s Day as a joint demonstration day. The day was set for March 8th in memory of a working women’s demonstration in 1917 in St. Petersburg.
The organization of Women’s Day was led by Clara Zetkin. She had joined the German Communist Party in 1919 and had headed the International Women’s Secretariat of the Communist International since 1920.
Women’s Day makes a comeback in the 1970s
In Denmark, March 8 was celebrated until World War II, although not always on the exact day. From World War II until the 1970s, there was a long and quiet period. But with the formation of various new women’s organizations:
Amazonerne – Women’s theater group with, among others, Vigga Bro
BUPL – National Union of Youth Educators, founded in 1973
Danmarks Demokratiske Kvindeforbund – Danish branch of the international Women’s Democratic World Federation of Women from 1945. The Danish Democratic Women’s League disbanded in 1990
Danish Women’s Society – The oldest Danish women’s organization, founded in 1871
DKP – The Communist Party of Denmark
Kvindefronten – Women’s group that emerged from the Red Stocking Movement in 1973. Kvindefronten was disbanded in 1978
Lesbian Movement – The movement was founded in 1974
Rødstrømperne – Women’s movement that existed in Denmark from 1970 – around 1985
SF – Socialist People’s Party
Thilderne – Women’s group founded in 1970. Belongs under the Danish Women’s Society. Named after Mathilde Fibiger, who was the first Danish woman to articulate gender inequality.
VS – Left Socialists
women’s emancipation came into focus and March 8th had a renaissance.
Poster for March 8 in Saltlageret in 1978
in 1973, the National Association for Cooperation between Denmark and the Soviet Union held a meeting on the role of Soviet women in society in Reventlowsgade in Copenhagen. (Sources: Land og Folk, March 8, 1973)
In 1974 , the Red Stockings held an event at Kvindehuset in Copenhagen. In Aalborg, the Democratic Women’s League of Denmark held an event in Søndergade (Sources: Land og Folk, March 8, 1974)
In 1975 there were several events in both Copenhagen and Aarhus. The main topics were equal pay, equal rights to work and education and better conditions in daycare centers. The slogan was:
We want equal human rights
In Copenhagen, the Danish Democratic Women’s Association organized a demonstration starting at Enghave Plads.
SF’s Ruth Olsen gave a speech at Gråbrødre Torv in central Copenhagen.
The Red Stockings held an event starting at the Vartov Building in Copenhagen
The Danish Democratic Women’s League and women’s committees from DKP, SF and VS invited to a meeting in Grundvigshus in Copenhagen.
The Red Stockings and the Danish Women’s Society, with support from the National Association of Child and Youth Educators, Husligt Arbejderforbund, Kvindeligt Bryggeriarbejder-Forbund, Syerskernes Fagforening, Kvindeligt Arbejderforbund, Socialdemokratiet, SF, DKP and VS organized a demonstration starting in Vennelystparken.
(Sources: Aktuelt, March 8, 1975 and Land og Folk, March 8-9, 1975)
In 1976, the focus was on women organizing themselves personally as well as professionally and politically. The slogans became a little sharper this year:
Women’s struggle is class struggle
Women unite in the fight for peace, equality and progress.
In Copenhagen there were 2 events:
The Amazons held speeches in the new Women’s House in Prinsessegade in Copenhagen.
With broad support from trade unions and political parties, the Danish Democratic Women’s League held a demonstration starting at Blågårds Plads in Copenhagen. (Sources: Aktuelt on March 8, 1976 and Land og Folk on March 9, 1976)
in 1977, events under the slogan Equality – Development – Peace began to spread across the country The focus was now on the fight against women’s oppression, and during the events there were shouts of
Equal pay for both sexes
Woman organize yourself
Copenhagen:
Danmarks Demokratiske Kvindeforbund, Thilderne, women’s committees from DKP and SF, Communist Students, Pædagogisk Medarbejderforbund, Grafisk Kartel and BUPL held a demonstration from Israels Plads with a final event in Saltlageret on Gl. Kongevej
The Red Stockings, Thilderne, Lesbian Movement and the Women’s Committee from SF held an event at Kvindehuset
Aarhus:
Under the slogan The crisis hits women hardest, the Women’s Workers’ Union, Domestic Workers’ Union, Women Brewery Workers, Seamstresses’ Union, Danish Women’s Society, Women’s Committee from SF, DKP and Social Democracy held a demonstration starting at Kloster Torv.
In addition, events were held in Roskilde, Horsens, Aalborg and Ølstykke. (Sources: Aktuelt, March 8, 1977 and Land og folk, March 8 and 9, 1977)
In 1978, the slogans were:
All women have the right to work and economic independence
No to cuts in the social and health sectors
Fight gender discrimination
Everyone has the right to an education
In Copenhagen:
Children and Care Students’ National Organization, Children and Youth Educators’ National Organization, Danish Democratic Women’s Federation, Danish High School Students’ Association, DKP, Danish Communist Youth, Danish Communist Students, Grafisk Kartel, Kvindefronten, Landsforeningen af Hospitalslaboranter, Landsforeningen af Danske Klubfolk, Lærlingenes og Ungarbejdernes Landsorganisation and Pædagogisk Medhjælper Forbund held a meeting in Saltlageret on Gl. Kongevej.
The National Association for Cooperation between Denmark and the Soviet Union held a meeting at Vester Voldgade
In Aarhus:
Women’s committees from SF, VS and DKP, the Red Stocking Movement, the Lesbian Movement and Kvindehusforeningen organized a demonstration starting from Vennelystparken and followed by a party
In Odense:
The women of the Central Unemployment Committee, the Danish-Cuban Association, the Red Stockings, the Socialist Women’s Group, the Danish Democratic Women’s Association, the Women’s House Association, BUPL, the Danish Women’s Society, the Danish Nursing Council, the Women’s Committee from SF and DKP held an event in Odense Kongreshus
In addition, events were held in Roskilde, Viborg, Holbæk (Sources: Land og folk, March 7, 1978)
In 1979, the slogan was heard all over the country:
Women in the labor market
In Copenhagen: The postal workers, Grafisk Kartel, HK-Bog og papir, Hospital workers, the Social Workers’ Association, BUPL, Dansk Klubfolk, DKP, the Danish Communist Youth League, the Danish Democratic Women’s League, VS, the Socialist People’s Party Youth League, and the Socialist League held a meeting at Kultorvet and a party in Falkonercenteret Here the focus was on:
No women’s struggle without class struggle – no class struggle without women’s struggle
For women’s right to education, work and economic independence
For real equal pay – for the right to the same work
Women strengthen the fight with crisis politics
Our children should not pay for the crisis
Yes to peace and security for children in all countries
In Odense: Danmarks Demokratiske Kvindeforbund, BUPL, DKP, SF, Socialist People’s Party Youth, VS and Kvindehusforeningen held a demonstration from Munke Mosen with subsequent speeches.
In Aalborg: Danmarks Demokratiske Kvindeforbund, Dansk Kvindesamfund, DKP, SF, VS Faglig Ungdom, Socialistisk Kvinder and Kvindehusforeningen held speeches at Gl. Torv with a subsequent party.
In Aarhus: Rødstrømperne, Danmarks Demokratiske Kvindeforbund, VS, DKP, Danmarks Kommunistiske Ungdomsforbund, Faglig Ungdom, Socialrådgivernes Fagforening, Ventelisteforældrene, BUPL, Dansk Sygeplejeråd and Dansk Kvindesamfund in Århus held a demonstration starting from Vennelystparken In Aarhus there was a special focus on:
All women have the right to work, education and economic independence
Women united in the fight against physical, mental and sexual oppression
In addition, events were held in Ølstykke, Hillerød, Gladsaxe, Roskilde, Esbjerg and Viborg, Holbæk (Sources: Aktuelt on March 9, 1979 and Land og Folk on March 8 and 9, 1979)
8. march in the 1980s
8. the March events in the first half of the 1980s were in many ways similar to March 8 in the 1970s.
The events in the latter half of the 1980s are characterized by the fact that the organizations found it difficult to agree on the slogans. The various March 8 groupings (March 8 Movement, Trade Union March 8, March 8 Committee and March 8 Group) cover associations of different organizations. These can be political organizations, trade unions or feminist movements, for example.
The number of organizations could vary from year to year, depending on whether they could agree with each other on which slogans to use.
1980 Copenhagen:
Rødstrømpebevægelsen, Lesbisk Bevægelse, Thilderne and Anakisterne organized various events including an event in the house in Magstræde, a parade from Nansensgade and a demonstration
Sygeplejeelevernes Fællesbestyrelse, HK-bog og papir, Lærerstuderendes Landsråd, VS, DKP, DKU, SF, SFU, Landsforeningen for Kommunikation, Hospitals-Laboranterne, Børne- og ungdomspædagogernes Landsorganisation, PMF, LFS, LDK, Grafisk Kartels Kvindeudvalg København, DDK, Lærlingenes Landsorganisation, Pædagogstuderendes Landsråd, Dansk Socialrådgiverforening, De Uddannelsessøgendes Samarbejdsudvalg, Børneforsorgs- Omsorgspædagogstuderendes Landsorganisation, Danske Gymnasieelevers Sammenslutning and DSR organized a demonstration from Kultorvet and party in Falkonercenteret
The slogans this year were many and had very different messages:
For all women’s right to work
Without economic independence – no women’s liberation
Woman – organize yourself
Fight the abuse of the unemployed
For all women’s right to education
For better maternity leave
Fight the cuts to the social and health sector
Fight the gender role tyranny
Strengthen women’s international solidarity
No women’s struggle without class struggle – no class struggle without women’s struggle
Around the country Women in Farum organized a support party for the Countess Danner Foundation in Copenhagen at Bybækskolen in Farum. In Ølstykke, DKP organized a meeting at Ølstykke library. In Aalborg, the trade union movement and labor parties held a meeting at Grand in Danmarksgade
In addition, meetings were held in the following cities: Odense, Viborg, Kolding, Roskilde, Esbjerg, Herning and Hillerød
(Sources: Aktuelt, March 8, 1980, Land og Folk, March 7, 1980, March 8-9, 1980)
1981 In Copenhagen, the National Organization for Child and Youth Educators, DDK, Danish Union of Journalists, Danish Association of Social Workers, DSR, Association of Nursing Assistants, Hospital Laboratory Assistants, National Council of Student Teachers, Danish Nursing Association, Pædagogisk Kartel, PMF, National Council of Student Teachers, SL, Nursing Students’ Joint Board, Teknisk Landsforbund, Keramisk Forbund, Keramisk Fagforening, DKP, DKU, LFS, Kvindelige Bryggeriarbejdere, Kommunistiske Studenter, LDK, Landssammenslutningen af Kursusstuderende, Lærlingene og ungarbejdernes Landsorganisation, Jordemoder foreningen and DSU debates, speeches and party in Falkonercenteret.
The slogans in 1981 are still many and varied, and are based on both domestic and foreign issues.
No to legislative intervention in collective bargaining 35-hour working week with full pay and no speed reductions Real equal pay and improved real wages to ensure that everyone is covered for price increases Everyone’s right to work and education, and real financial security during education Full compensation for unemployment and sickness Get rid of time limits on benefits Fight cuts in the social and healthcare sector Do away with the childcare circular For real equality also in times of crisis Abolish joint taxation – get more women on boards and councils For a safe and healthy working environment 26 weeks maternity leave with full pay No to Denmark as a base and bombing target No to increased military spending Women for peace and disarmament Solidarity with women in developing countries Strengthen women’s international solidarity
Kvindehuset on Gothersgade held an open house and torchlight procession to the residents’ house in Christianshavn
No to violence against women – take back the night
Fælles Faglig held a demonstration at Frederiksberg City Hall and DKP held a public meeting with speeches, films and children’s programs at Medborgerhuset on Scandiagade
Out in the country, there were also many events: In Nivå, SF, DKP, DKU, Women for Peace, DDK, the Countess Danner Foundation and the League for Peace and Freedom organized a family event at Niverødgårdsskolen
In Køge on March 8, the women’s groups held an event with speeches, singing and music at Søndre Skole under the slogan:
Women’s fight for peace
In Aalborg, DKP held an event with speeches and entertainment in Vesterå. In Esbjerg, the Workers’ Union held a demonstration starting at Strandby Plads, a meeting in Byparken and a party at Hotel Esbjerg.
In addition, events were held in the following cities: Aarhus, Odense, Helsingør, Hillerød, Birkerød, Svendborg, Bornholm, Brændstrup, Herning
(Sources: Land og Folk, March 7-8, 1981)
1982 In Copenhagen, a large number of organizations and unions join forces to organize March 8 events
8. the March 8th movement organized a demonstration from Kultorvet, a communal dinner in Grundtvigshus and a rally under the slogan:
Equality, peace and liberation
The trade union movement’s 8. with support from the National Union of Child and Youth Educators, the Association of Nursing Assistants, Danish Union of Journalists, LDK, DDK, Pædagogisk Kartel, Danish Women’s Society, SL, DSR, Jordemoderforeningen, Landssammenslutningen af Kursusstuderende, Lærlinge- og ungarbejdernes Landsorganisation, Dansk Plejeforening, Kvindelige Bryggeriarbejdere, Keramisk Forbund, Keramisk Malerforening, PMF, Tandteknikerforeningen, Kvindeligt Arbejderforbund, Postarbejdernes Fagforening, DSR, Dansk Typograf-Forbund, LFS, Pædagogstuderendes Landsråd, DKP, DKU, Nej til Atomvåben, Pædagogisk Kartel, Faglig Ungdom, Samarbejdskomiteen for fred og sikkerhed, Kommunistiske studenter, Landssammenslutningen af Hospitalslaboranter, Kvinder for fred, Aktionsgruppen Arbejdere Akademikere festarrangement i Falkonercenteret under the slogans:
Nuclear war can and must be prevented
For everyone’s right to work and education
Equality, peace and liberation
Out in the country, many different organizations had also joined forces for various events. In Hillerød, Women in Hillerød, Pædagogisk Kartel, BUPL, PMF, LDK, SL, VS, DKP, DKP, DKU, SF, SFU, DSR, Ventelisteforældrene and Boliggruppen organized a demonstration starting at Fisketorvet in Hillerød. The slogans were:
No to nuclear war and rearmament
For international women’s solidarity
For everyone’s right to work and education
In Humlebæk, VS, SF, DKP and DDK held a meeting and movie screening at Sletten Kro. In Hørsholm, VS, SF, DKP, DDK and Socialdemokratiet held an event in Ådalsparkens former library
8. the March movement also held events in the following cities: Frederiksværk, Farum, Helsingør, Sorø, Næstved, Roskilde, Aarhus, Aalborg, Hjørring, Thisted, Skive, Vejle, Haderslev, Hobro, Odense, Svendborg and Gudhjem
(Sources: Aktuelt March 7, 1982, Land og Folk March 6-7, 1982)
1983 Copenhagen: Socialdemokratiet, SF, VS, Lesbisk bevægelse, Rødstrømpebevægelsen and women from Grevinde Danners krisecenter organized a party in Grevinde Danners krisecenter with subsequent demonstration against Christianshavns beboerhus under the slogan:
Violence against women – how do we fight it?
National Council of Child Welfare and Care Education Students, SL, HK, Tandteknikerforeningen, Jordemoderforeningen, Pædagogisk Kartel, Ergoterapeutforeningen, Dansk Plejerforening, Lærlingenes og Ungarbejdernes Landsorganisation, PMF, BUPL, LFS, Kvindeligt Arbejderforbund, Keramisk Malerforening, PL, Landsorganisationen af Elever, DSR, LDK, Socialrådgiverforeningen, Teknisk Landsforbund, Dansk Typograf Forbund, Socialistisk Arbejder Parti, Kommunistiske Studenter, DKU, DSR, Lærerstuderendes Landsråd, DKP, Bibliotikarforbundet, Faglig Ungdom, Dansk Kvindesamfund, DDK, Postarbejdernes Fagforening, VS, Landssammenslutningen af Kursusstuderende, Aktionsgruppen for Arbejdere og Akademikere and Samarbejdskomiteen for Fred og Sikkerhed held an event in Falkonercenteret under the slogans:
No to forced part-time work – yes to a 35-hour working week without loss of pay
Stop the nuclear missiles – for disarmament in East and West
For real equality
No to income and austerity policies
26 weeks maternity and adoption leave
In Svendborg, HAF, BUPL, PMF, Bageri- og Mølleriarbejderne, Kvinder for Fred, Faglig Ungdom, Socialdemokratiske Kvinder, Kvindehuset, SID, Socialrådgiverne, VS, DKP, DKU held an event at Teknisk Skole. in Birkerød, DKP, DKU, SF, VS, SFU, SL and FIB held a meeting in Blå Sal on J. Mantziusvej. In Holbæk, DDK held a party at Holbæk Theater. In addition, events were held in the following cities: Aarhus, Odense, Vejle, Viborg and Farum
(Sources: Aktuelt, March 8, 1983, Land og Folk, March 5-6, 1983, March 8, 1983)
1984 Copenhagen: Countess Danner’s crisis center organized a debate presentation, a communal meal, a demonstration at the City Hall Square and a party under the slogans
No to oppression of women – no to violence against women Porn is theory – rape is practice
The trade union movement’s 8. march organized with support from Jordemoderforeningen, Postarbejdernes Fagforening, PMF, Dansk Plejerforening, Kvindeligt Arbejderforbund, BT-klubben, Dansk Socialrådgiverforening, Arkitekternes Fagforening, Tillidsmandkollegiet, Socialistisk Arbejder Parti, SL, DSR, LDK, Dansk Typografforbund, Ergoterapeutforeningen, Tandteknikerforeningen, Lærerstuderendes Landsråd, Pædagogisk Kartel, BUPL, PMF, HK- og Fællesklubben, FBA, Keramisk Malerforening, Teknisk Landsforbund, Metal, Faglig Ungdom, Sømændenes Forbund, LFS, Bibliotekarforbundet, DKP, Prosa, DDK, Børne- og ungdomspædagogernes Landsforbund, Pædagogstuderendes Landsråd, Dansk-Cubansk Forening and DKU will speak, revue, film and music in Falkonercenteret under the slogans:
No to any policy that reduces women’s conditions
No to the deterioration of the living conditions of families with young children
For real equality in the labor market; Stop EU directives that reduce women’s working conditions
For disarmament – without peace there is no future
Strengthen International Women’s Day
Socialdemokratiet, DSU, HK-Ungdom and HK-Kontorafdeling held an event in HK’s building in Gyldenløvsgade under the slogan:
Equal rights – equal worth – equal conditions
The organizers of 8 March, SF, DKP, SAP, the nursing assistants at Sundby Hospital, Home Helpers, LFS, PMF, Pædagogisk Kartel and Statens Socialpædagogiske Seminarium organized a procession from Amagerbrogade towards Christianshavns Torv
In Birkerød, SL organized a meeting with a film screening in Projekthuset. In Slagelse, FO, Fredsgruppen, Kvindeligt Arbejderforbund, HK’s Equality Committee and Pædagogisk Kartel, with support from DKP, SF and Socialdemokratiet, organized an event at Det Nye Bibliotek. In Aarhus, a number of trade unions held a demonstration from Klostertorvet to Rådhuspladsen during the parades:
Demand for peace and union equality
The right to work and education
The theater group Cisterne’s play “Pengene først, skat – og ikke et ord om kærlighed” premiered on 8 March at Husets teater in Copenhagen.
Various events were also held in the following cities: Esbjerg, Vejle and Holstebro, Herning, Aalborg, Viborg, Silkeborg, Fredericia, Kolding, Odense, Svendborg, Middelfart, Køge, Humlebæk, Karlebo and Rønne
(Sources: Aktuelt March 7, 1984, March 8, 1984, March 9, 1984, Land og Folk March 7, 1984, March 8, 1984)
1985 Copenhagen: 8. the March Committee, Mødrehjælpen, Kvindefronten, De Gale Enker, Kvinder fra Landsforeningen for enlige forsørgere, Landsforeningen kvindelige eneforsørgere held an event at the Gimle community center in Christianshavn with communal dining, singing and music and a demonstration from Kultorvet to Rådhuspladsen. The slogans were:
Work and education for all – get rid of the black unemployment benefit reform
Higher pay – real equal pay 35-hour working week with full pay and staff compensation
No to all restrictions on benefits
Full coverage of the cost of living – no more welfare poverty
Better living conditions for families with children
Increase old-age and disability pensions
No to women’s oppressive ideology and culture
No to the war preparations of the two superpowers
Away with the reinforcement agreements – NATO bases away from Danish soil
Stop the racist propaganda
For work and equality, peace and liberation
Countess Danner’s shelter held an open house. The trade union movement’s March 8 organized a party event in the Falkonercenteret. The Social Democratic Party and HK held an internal event in HK’s building in Gyldenløvsgade
In Aarhus, the trade union movement held a demonstration from Klostertorvet to City Hall Square and the Red Stocking Movement held a women’s party in Stakladen with a subsequent torchlight procession
In Humlebæk, the March 8 group organized a torchlight procession from Humlebæk station followed by a party at Sletten Kro
Events were also held in the following cities: Roskilde, Holbæk, Slagelse, Odense, Svendborg, Aalborg, Viborg, Frederikshavn, Silkeborg, Skanderborg, Vejle, Kolding, Esbjerg, Herning and Holstebro
(Source: Aktuelt March 8, 1985, Land og Folk March 7, 1985, March 8, 1985)
1986 In Aarhus, the women in the Aarhus trade union movement organized a demonstration meeting at the Town Hall Square with a subsequent event at the Congress House.
In Copenhagen, around 50 parties, trade unions and organizations, including the Danish Women’s Workers’ Union, joined forces in a large event in the Falkonercenteret under the slogan:
Stop any policy that degrades women’s living conditions
8. the March Committee and a number of organizations, including Mødrehjælpen and Kvindefronten, arranged a meeting and party in Saltlageret
The Social Democratic Party and HK held an event in HK’s building in Gyldenløvsgade
Countess Danner’s crisis center arranged a women’s circus, cabaret, communal dining and dancing
In Aalborg, around 15 political and trade union organizations organized a street action in front of Medborgerhuset. Events were held in the following cities: Humlebæk, Birkerød, Helsingør, Roskilde, Køge, Slagelse, Holbæk, Næstved, Odense, Haderslev, Esbjerg, Vejle, Horsens, Kolding, Fredericia, Randers, Viborg, Aalborg and Hjørring.
(Sources: Aktuelt March 7, 1986, March 8, 1986, Land og Folk March 7, 1986)
1987 In Copenhagen, the trade union movement held an event at Folkets Hus on Enghavevej and Countess Danner’s crisis center held an open house with a closing concert with Pia Raug.
In addition, events were held in Køge.
(Sources: Aktuelt March 7, 1987, March 8, 1988, Land og Folk March 7-8, 1987)
1988
In Copenhagen, the trade union movement held 8. march an event – with support from Arbejdernes Fællesorganisation, Bibliotekarforbundet, Bryggeriarbejdernes Fagforening, BUPL, PMF, LDK, Børne- og Ungdomspædagogernes Landsforbund, Dansk Socialrådgiverforening, DSR, Danske Studerendes Fællesråd, Ergoterapeutforeningen, Fagbevægelsen for Fred, Foreningen for Sygehjælpere, Kvindeligt Arbejderforbund, LFS, Lærlingenes og Ungarbejdernes Landsorganisation, Malernes Fagforening, Pædagogisk Kartel, SL and Trafikfunktionærernes Fagforening – in Folkets Hus on Enghavevej under the slogans:
A nuclear-free world in the year 2000 For a 35-hour working week – with full pay and staff compensation For a healthy environment in nature and at work More better and cheaper daycare centers Full pay and cover during maternity leave Strengthen the fight against racism Strengthen International Women’s Day
8. the March Committee held an event in Studiestræde under the slogan
For the right to have children
Countess Danner’s crisis center held an event with guided tours and lectures and in Aarhus, the trade union movement held an event in the Aarhus Congress Hall (Sources: Det fri Aktuelt March 7, 1988, March 8, Land og Folk March 8, 1988)
1989 In Copenhagen, Arbejdernes Fællesorganisation, DSR, LDK, Landssammenslutningen for Hospitalslaboranter, Postarbejdernes Fagforening, Pædagogisk Kartel, Plejemedhjælpernes Klub, Kvindeligt Arbejderforbund, Murersvendenes Fagforening, Foreningen for Sygehjælpere, Iransk Demokratisk Kvindeforbund, Dansk Typograf-forbund, DKP, PMF, FADL, BUPL, Fagbevægelsen for Fred, Københavns Postbudeforening, African National Cengress, International Socialists, SL, Bryggeriarbejdernes Fagforening, Dansk Socialrådgiverforening, HAF, Malernes Fagforening, HK, Trafikfunktionærernes Fagforening and Kommunale Lønarbejdere event with music and in Folkets Hus on Enghavevej
A world free of nuclear weapons in the year 2000
Strengthen International Women’s Day
For everyone’s right to education
Strengthen the fight against racism
Næstved: DLF, SL, DKP, SAP, SF and VS organized song, music and food at Grønnegade Kaserne
Roskilde: Various trade unions and associations held an event at Kulturhuset
Viborg: Various women’s organizations, political parties and trade unions arranged theater, music and dining at Østre Skole
Frederikshavn: Danish Women’s Society and labor parties held an event in Skolegade
Aarhus: FO, Danish Bookbinder and Cardboard Association, LDK, SL, Danish Social Workers’ Association, HK, Clothing and Textile Workers’ Union, Warehouse and Warehouse Workers’ Union, DSR, Aarhus Teachers’ Association, HAF, DKA, Occupational Therapists’ Association held event in Aarhus Congress Center Slogans: “Peace on Earth – cut military budgets”, “The Nordic region as a nuclear weapons-free zone”, “Strengthen international solidarity – no to racism”, “Life and environment – human considerations or profit”, “Aarhus city – clean city”, “Equal pay for equal work”, “Defend women’s right to work and education”, “Shorter working hours – full pay and staff compensation for reduced working hours”, “Stop the anti-social attacks on the unemployed”, “No to user fees and privatization”, Stop the downsizing policy”, “Better conditions for families with children – Children are Denmark’s raw material”
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