What you need to know about International Women's Day
International Women's Day originated in the early 20th century when labour movements emerged to protest harsh working conditions.
The International Women's Day (IWD) is observed annually on March 8, serving as a focal point for the women's rights movement.
It highlights key issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and the fight against violence and discrimination.
More To Read
The day recognises the achievements of women across different spheres, regardless of nationality, ethnicity, culture, language, politics, or economic status.
This event honours women’s contributions and raises awareness about gender-based challenges.
It provides a platform to celebrate social, economic, cultural, and political accomplishments while advocating for further progress in women’s rights worldwide.
The female gender symbol represents International Women's Day, often displayed alongside the colours purple, green and white.
According to the International Women's Day website, purple symbolises dignity and justice, green represents hope, and white stands for purity.
Historical background
International Women's Day originated in the early 20th century when labour movements emerged to protest harsh working conditions.
One of the key moments was the 1908 march in New York City, where 15,000 women demanded better working conditions and voting rights.
In 1909, the United States observed National Woman’s Day, laying the foundation for the global movement.
In 1910, Clara Zetkin proposed the idea of an International Women's Day at the International Socialist Women’s Conference.
The following year, the first official celebration took place on March 19, 1911, in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland, with over a million participants.
The movement gained momentum, and in 1975, the United Nations officially recognised and began celebrating International Women's Day.
Since then, the UN has played a crucial role in promoting and expanding the event, urging countries to acknowledge the resilience and contributions of women throughout history.
Global recognition and significance
International Women's Day is marked in various ways worldwide.
Some countries observe it as a national holiday, while others use it as a platform for protests, discussions, and initiatives to promote gender equality.
Nations such as Armenia, Belarus, Cuba, Georgia, Laos, Mongolia, Russia, Uganda, Ukraine, and Vietnam recognise IWD as an official public holiday.
Each year, a different theme is selected to guide global discussions and actions.
The theme for this year is "Accelerate Action," emphasising the urgency of advancing gender equality and ensuring women’s empowerment progresses at a faster pace.
Top Stories Today
