Celebrated annually on March 8th, International Women's Day (IWD) stands as a pivotal moment in the women's rights movement, a tradition that the United Nations officially recognized in 1975.

In the spirit of this momentous day, let's delve into Norway's remarkable relationship with the United Nations and its representative to the organization.

Norway, a founding member of the UN in 1945, has left an indelible mark on its history. The inaugural Secretary-General, Trygve Lie, hailed from Norway, and the nation generously gifted the Security Council Chamber to the UN headquarters.

Merete Fjeld Brattested assumed the role of Permanent Representative of Norway to the United Nations on September 1, 2023. Born in Bergen, she holds a Master of Arts degree with honors in Political Economy from Glasgow University, Scotland. Her distinguished career includes serving as Chief of Protocol for the Royal Palace and holding numerous esteemed government and ambassadorial positions.

Today, on International Women’s Day, the theme resonates: “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress.” The United Nations has identified five key areas for action, ranging from investing in women as a human rights imperative to supporting feminist change-makers. Detailed insights are available at un.org, where you can stand in solidarity with the UN by using #InvestInWomen.

Take this opportunity to honor the women who shape your life, whether at work, within your community organizations, or by acknowledging your female mentors with tokens of appreciation. There's no singular way to celebrate the occasion.

Explore tools and resources to help organize an International Women’s Day event at internationalwomensday.com, and let's collectively amplify the voices and contributions of women worldwide.

Share your International Women’s Day celebrations in the comments.