World Day of the Sick is a Catholic Church awareness day, or observance, on February 11, aimed at praying and sharing, sacrificing one's suffering for the welfare of the church, and urging everyone to see the face of Christ in his or her ailing brother or sister. The day falls on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, and it is an important occasion for individuals in the Catholic health ministry to reflect on caring for those who are sick as well as those who care for them.
In 1992, Pope John Paul II established the day to urge people to pray for individuals who are ill and their caretakers. The pope showed signs of Parkinson's disease in 1991, but it wasn't verified until 2001, therefore, it's notable that he opted to establish the World Day of the Sick barely a year after his diagnosis. In his apostolic letter "Salvifici Doloris", the pope wrote extensively on the subject of suffering and considered that it has always been a redeeming process through Christ.
On February 11, 1993, the first World Day of the Sick was observed.
International Day of Women and Girls in Science
On December 22, 2015, the General Assembly decided to establish an annual International Day to recognize the critical role women and girls play in science and technology, through Resolution A/RES/70/212.
The International Day of Women and Girls in Science, celebrated on February 11, is implemented by UNESCO and UN-Women, in collaboration institutions and civil society partners that aim to promote women and girls in science. This Day is an opportunity to promote full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls. Gender equality is a global priority for UNESCO, and the support of young girls, their education and their full ability to make their ideas heard are levers for development and peace.
Feb 10, 2023
National Deworming Day
Every year, February 10 is observed as National Deworming Day to create awareness about the importance of deworming all preschool and school-age children between the ages of 1-19 years. Led by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, deworming is done through the platforms of schools and Anganwadi centres in order "to improve their overall health, nutritional status, access to education and quality of life".
National Deworming Day (NDD) was launched in 2015 and is one of the largest public programmes implemented on a single day reaching crores of children and adolescents via two NDD rounds every year.
World Pulses Day
Every year World Pulses Day is celebrated on February 10 with an aim to spread awareness about the nutritional and environmental benefits of pulses as part of sustainable food production. Pulses also known as legumes, are considered as global foods, and are produced in almost every country.
The UN General Assembly recognised the value of pulses in 2013 and adopted the year 2016 as the International Year of Pulses (IYP). The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the UN increased public awareness of the nourishing and environmental benefits of pulses.
As the International Year of Pulses concluded, Burkina Faso, a landlocked country in West Africa, proposed the observance of World Pulses Day. Finally, in 2019, the UN General Assembly dedicated February 10 as World Pulses Day.
The Steering Committee selected 'Pulses for a Sustainable Future' as the theme for World Pulses Day 2023 celebration.
Feb 07, 2023
Safer Internet Day
Every year, February 7 is observed as Safer Internet Day. The Internet has made our lives easier as it helps us to interact with the rest of the world virtually. In this 21st century, life without an internet connection is a nightmare.
The World Wide Web was first introduced in the year 1990 by computer scientist Tim Berners-Lee. Global communication through the internet linked thousands of individuals together. Safer Internet Day was an initiative led by the EU SafeBorders project in 2004.
Later in the year 2009, Safer Internet Day was introduced to strengthen bonds with countries.
The theme for Safer Internet Day 2023 was 'Want to talk about it? Making space for conversations about life online'.
Feb 06, 2023
International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation
International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is observed on February 6. Female genital mutilation (FGM) involves altering or injuring the female genitalia for non-medical reasons and is recognised internationally as a violation of human rights and the integrity of girls and women.
The UN General Assembly designated February 6 as the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation in 2012. The primary objective behind observing this day is to amplify and direct efforts on the elimination of this cruel practice.
The theme for International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation 2023 was - Partnership with Men and Boys to transform Social and gender Norms to End FGM.
Feb 04, 2023
World Cancer Day
February 4 marks the annual observance of World Cancer Day, an international event aimed at promoting awareness and encouraging efforts for prevention as well as treatment of the disease — a leading cause of deaths globally.
World Cancer Day 2023 was the 23rd reiteration of the initiative started in 2000 by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), a non-profit advocating for integration of cancer into the world health agenda since 1933.
World Cancer Day was established on 4 February 2000 at the World Cancer Summit Against Cancer for the New Millennium, which was held in Paris.
The theme for World Cancer Day 2023 was "close the care gap".