International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day (8 March) is an occasion marked by women’s groups around the world. This date is also commemorated at the United Nations and is designated in many countries as a national holiday. When women on all continents, often divided by national boundaries and by ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic and political differences, come together to celebrate their Day, they can look back to a tradition that represents at least nine decades of struggle for equality, justice, peace and development.

Women’s Achievements and Challenges

The purpose of International Women’s Day (IWD) is to uphold women’s achievements, recognize challenges, and focus greater attention on women’s rights and gender equality. It is celebrated worldwide to spotlight women, their issues and achievements, and has a different theme each year.

“The world has made unprecedented advances, but no country has achieved gender equality.” writes the United Nations, and has set a goal for gender equality by 2030. The UN sees International Women’s Day as “a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women, who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities.”

Events and Marches

According to the United Nations, women earn 23% less than men globally and occupy only 24% of parliamentary seats worldwide. On International Women’s Day, March 8, various events are held worldwide. Like seminars, marches, and concerts, the events celebrate women and highlight the inequalities that women experience worldwide. The focus at the events picks up on various themes such as innovation, the portrayal of women in the media, or the importance of education and career opportunities.

Women of all backgrounds: Political, community, and business leaders, as well as leading educators, inventors, entrepreneurs, and television personalities, are usually invited to speak on the day.

Public Holiday in Many Countries

International Women’s Day is a public holiday in Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, China (half-day for women), Eritrea, Germany (some areas), Georgia, Guinea-Bissau, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kiribati, Laos (women only), Madagasgar (women only), Moldova, Mongolia, Nauru, North Korea, Russia, Sierra Leone, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Zambia.

International Women’s Day is a national observance in many other countries.

The History of International Women’s Day

We observe it on March 8. This date was chosen by the United Nations as International Women’s Day to commemorate a women’s demonstration in Petrograd (Saint Petersburg), Russia, in 1917 that marked the turning point in the Russian revolution. In 1917, Russia still followed the Julian calendar, so the demonstration took place on February 23, which in the western Gregorian calendar is March 8.

The UN drew global attention to women’s concerns in 1975 by calling for an International Women’s Year. It also convened the first conference on women in Mexico City that year. The UN General Assembly then invited member states to proclaim March 8 as the UN Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace in 1977. The day aimed to help nations worldwide eliminate discrimination against women. It also focused on helping women gain full and equal participation in global development. International Men’s Day is celebrated on November 19 each year.