History and Significance of International Women’s Day

History

International Women’s Day (IWD), celebrated annually on March 8, has its roots in the early 20th-century labor and suffrage movements. Here’s how it evolved:

1. 1908 – Women’s Rights Protest in New York
   • A group of women protested in New York City, demanding better working conditions, shorter hours, and voting rights.
2. 1909 – First National Women’s Day (USA)
   • The Socialist Party of America declared February 28 as National Women’s Day in the U.S.
3. 1910 – International Recognition
   • At the International Socialist Women’s Conference in Copenhagen, Clara Zetkin, a German activist, proposed the idea of an International Women’s Day.
   • The proposal was unanimously approved.
4. 1911 – First Official International Women’s Day
   • Countries like Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland celebrated IWD on March 19.
   • Women demanded voting rights, workplace equality, and the right to hold public office.
5. 1913 – Shift to March 8
   • Russian women protested against World War I, and the date was fixed as March 8 for IWD.
6. 1917 – Women’s Role in Russian Revolution
   • On March 8, Russian women organized a strike for “Bread and Peace.”
   • This movement led to women gaining the right to vote in Russia.
7. 1975 – UN Recognition
   • The United Nations officially recognized International Women’s Day and started celebrating it annually.
8. 1996-Present – Annual Themes by the UN
   • The UN assigns a theme to IWD every year, focusing on key issues like gender equality, women’s rights, and social justice.  For 2025, theme is- “For All Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, and Empowerment.” This theme highlights the significance of establishing a more equitable world by ensuring equal opportunities, rights, and empowerment for all women and girls.

Significance

1. Celebrating Women’s Achievements
   • Recognizing contributions of women in politics, science, arts, business, and social change.
2. Raising Awareness on Gender Issues
   • Highlights gender inequality, wage gaps, and violence against women.
3. Advocating for Women’s Rights
   • Promotes equal opportunities, education, and leadership roles for women.
4. Encouraging Policy Changes
   • Governments and organizations introduce policies to support women’s empowerment.
5. Global Solidarity
   • Brings together people worldwide to support women’s rights movements.

Conclusion

International Women’s Day is a celebration and a reminder of the ongoing struggle for gender equality and women’s empowerment.

While progress has been made, but continued efforts are needed to ensure a fair and just society.

Image Credit- Google