Since its birth within the socialist movement, International Women's Day has grown stronger over the past 100 years, leading to this day being officially endorsed by the United Nations in 1977. This was after the United Nations had declared 1975 International Women's Year, and 1976 to 1985 the UN Decade for Women. The African Union has taken a similar approach, by declaring 2010 to 2020 the African Women's Decade, with 10 thematic areas that member states have to focus on. The theme for this year is: Women's Health, Maternal Mortality and HIV and Aids. One of the priorities of this decade is science education and technology. The decade should strengthen the work done by the Pan-African Women's Organisation, PAWO, which played a significant role in building African unity and solidarity among women during a crucial period in the struggle for freedom against colonialism and apartheid.