In an article on News From Brighton today, the Brighton Pavilion MP marks the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day, which celebrates the political, economic and cultural achievements of women - and highlights the global campaign for an end to discrimination against women and girls.

Caroline Lucas reflects on 100 years of International Women's Day 

IWD began in 1911 at a time of increased unrest and debate amongst women who, together with the men who supported their cause, fought for the right to work, vote, be educated, and be treated as equals.

Every year since, millions of women and men have attended rallies and events across the world to mark IWD, campaigning against oppression and inequality, for greater representation in public life - and for a life without fear of gendered violence.

You might ask why we still need an official 'day' for celebrating female achievements. Maybe it sounds a bit passé - it's true that there has been huge progress, in richer countries at least, towards greater equality.

And for younger generations, it's easy to take for granted the rights that those before us struggled to achieve.

But a glance at the facts shows us why IWD is still so important.

Here in the UK, for example, unequal pay remains a demoralising reality. Women working full-time are paid on average 15.5% less an hour than men for doing work of the same value.

Childcare provision often falls far short of what is needed, and weak paternity rights from employers add to the pressure on women trying to juggling family and professional life - as well as being grossly unfair for men wanting a greater family role.

Company boardrooms are still highly male dominated. Only one in eight directors of FTSE 100 companies are women, and a recent Government investigation found widespread under representation of women in boardrooms - though stopped short of recommending quotas to increase female recruitment.

More than half of the population is female, so it seems obvious that women would play an equal role in decision making at the top. Yet women hold only 19% of the world's parliamentary seats.

In the UK parliament, men outnumber women 5 to 1 - relegating us to a shocking 52^nd place in the world when it comes to female parliamentary representation.

Domestic violence remains a tragic factor in many lives. According to the British Crime Survey, one in four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime - many on multiple occasions. On average, it's thought that two women a week are killed by a current or former male partner.

In Brighton, we're lucky to have some fantastic charities providing services to women who have experienced violence. But as the Government's savage cuts in public spending begin to bite and councils search desperately for savings, many organisations face a serious funding crisis.

One organisation at risk is Rise (Refuge, Information, Support and Education), a domestic violence charity offering crucial support to hundreds of women, children and young people affected by domestic abuse every year in Brighton & Hove and West Sussex.

Rise is set to lose council funding at the end of March, and is launching a campaign to raise money to save its child support worker, whose expertise is an invaluable asset in Rise's day to day work - especially when you consider at least 750,000 children witness domestic violence every year (Department of Health).

IWD is a good opportunity to recognise the role which Rise and others play in delivering key services to some of the most vulnerable women in our communities - and ensure that they get the resources they need to thrive.

As well as looking at what needs to be done here at home, International Women's Day is also about showing solidarity with women struggling with poverty, violence and discrimination across the world.

Women, especially in the poorest countries, are paying a high price for the global economic meltdown. They are often concentrated in low paid, insecure employment with few rights. When economic activity grinds to a halt, women are often the first to lose their jobs.

Leading charity Oxfam is working to put women and gender equality at the heart of efforts to alleviate poverty in poorer countries - particularly when it comes to food.

According to the UN, women perform 66% of the world's work, produce 50% of food, but earn 10% of the income and own 1% of the property. In some regions, women provide 70% of agricultural labour, produce more than 90% of the food, and yet are nowhere represented in decision making processes - something which Oxfam is trying to change.

To explore these issues and talk about its inspiring work, Oxfam is throwing a 'Celebrating Women' party at the Friend's Meeting House on Thursday - with films, choir singing, dancing, and international cuisine on the menu.

But before then, on Tuesday I'll be joining local Green councillors and Brighton women to celebrate the centenary of IWD and collect signatures for a petition calling for Government action on the funding crisis for gendered violence support services in our city.

IWD is a time for people to come together at a local level and celebrate the achievements of women around the world - and make bigger strides towards a fairer future for all.

ENDS