International Women's Day 2021 quotes and messages
In previous years, International Women's Day was celebrated with festivals, marathons and other events across the world. Due to the covid-19 pandemic, events will be virtual.
"A challenged world is an alert world," the International Women's Day website says. "We can all choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality."
International Women’s Day has been observed for more than a century since it began in 1911. The day recognises the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women globally, and it's a call to action for gender parity.
In previous years, International Women's Day was celebrated with festivals, marathons and other events across the world. But with the covid-19 pandemic, most events will be virtual.
Happy International Women’s Day! I love this quote from Marie Curie. Fear is the obstacle to living a full life. Understanding is key. pic.twitter.com/RgXYN1S1J8
— Glynis Barber (@MsGlynisBarber) March 8, 2021
This year the theme is based on the challenges brought about by the pandemic, and is titled "Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a Covid-19 world".
Gender parity in government, workplaces, health care, sports and media coverage is achievable through individual change, organisers say. They hope this year’s theme for International Women's Day - #ChooseToChallenge - will inspire individuals to challenge biases, question stereotypes and celebrate the achievements of women around the world.
The history of International Women's Day
The leader of the Women's Office for the Social Democratic Party in Germany, Clara Zetkin, suggested a celebration in every country on the same day for women to "press for their demands." This Women's Day was first observed on March 19, 1911, in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. Campaigns across Europe against WWI inspired women in other countries to adopt International Women's Day.
If someone had told me as a little girl that one day, I would be a role model for women around the globe, I wouldn’t have believed it. Every day I receive messages from brave women who tell me their stories. I am so proud of each and every one of you! Happy #WomensDay, ladies! pic.twitter.com/Z6DddS5aYW
— TinaTurner (@LoveTinaTurner) March 8, 2021
How is the day celebrated?
Owing to the pandemic, celebrations for this year's International Women's Day have gone virtual. For example in Atlanta, the Urban Wine Collective will host a virtual happy hour. Meanwhile, the Dallas Arboretum has scheduled a day of activities to highlight the contributions of women in STEM.
To the amazing women in my life, thank you for giving me the strength to grow. To the women who have gone before me, thank you for paving the way so there is a path to travel. And to those women who continue to fight the fight, stay strong, one day you will change the world! #IWD pic.twitter.com/DCJBcY05kR
— Maggie Alphonsi MBE (@MaggieAlphonsi) March 8, 2021
How to participate in International Women's Day
Organisers are asking supporters to "strike the Choose To Challenge pose and share on social media using #ChooseToChallenge #IWD2021."
From this day #IWD2021 let's all #ChooseToChallenge when we're spoken over or interrupted. Let's all say: "I'm speaking" with a big #KamalaHarris smile. "I'm speaking." Help further women develop this strategy to use at work, home, in the community. Then teach it to our daughters pic.twitter.com/nEWxhu9pb5
— Women's Day (@womensday) March 8, 2021
The pose is simply raising your hand high to "show your commitment to choose to challenge inequality, call out bias, question stereotypes, and help forge an inclusive world," the website says.
