What's the theme of International Women's Day 2022?
International Women's Day, which recognises the achievements of women and promotes the cause of gender equality, will be held for the 111th time on Tuesday.
Observed annually on 8 March, International Women’s Day is a celebration of the “social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women”, the official Women’s Day website explains. “The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity,” it adds.
UN to focus International Women's Day 2022 on impact of climate change
First held in 1911, International Women’s Day was recognised by the United Nations in 1975. Since 1996, the UN has given the day an annual theme, which this year will be ‘gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow’.
In a statement, the UN said: “Advancing gender equality in the context of the climate crisis and disaster risk reduction is one of the greatest global challenges of the 21st century.
“Women are increasingly being recognized as more vulnerable to climate change impacts than men, as they constitute the majority of the world’s poor and are more dependent on the natural resources which climate change threatens the most.
“At the same time, women and girls are effective and powerful leaders and change-makers for climate adaptation and mitigation. They are involved in sustainability initiatives around the world, and their participation and leadership results in more effective climate action.
“Continuing to examine the opportunities, as well as the constraints, to empower women and girls to have a voice and be equal players in decision-making related to climate change and sustainability is essential for sustainable development and greater gender equality.”
#BreakTheBias
Meanwhile, the International Women’s Day website has also named its own theme for 2022, which will be ‘#BreakTheBias’.
“Imagine a gender equal world,” the Women’s Day website reads. “A world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. A world that's diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women's equality. Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias.”
As part of the theme, people are being encouraged to strike a #BreakTheBias pose, which involves crossing your arms in front of your chest. You can take a photograph of yourself adopting the pose - either alone or in a group - and submit the image to the International Women’s Day website, which is publishing selected photos.
Imagine a gender equal world.
— MSF Myanmar (@MSF_Myanmar) March 7, 2022
A world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination.
For #InternationalWomensDay, @MSF's Myanmar team strikes the #BreakTheBias pose and asks everyone to join in helping call out bias, smash stereotypes, break inequality and reject discrimination. pic.twitter.com/74G4QhN6Z5
International Women's Day: what's happening in 2022?
International Women’s Day is an official holiday in a number of countries. According to the Women’s Day website, these include Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, China (women only), Cuba, Georgia, Guinea-Bissau, Eritrea, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Madagascar (women only), Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Nepal (women only), Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Zambia.
International Women's Day rallies, bike rides...
International Women’s Day is traditionally marked with rallies and strikes. Around the world, protests have been organised either for Tuesday 8 March 2022 itself, or for the days leading up to it. Here is a selection of some of the demonstrations that have taken place already:
Out with @womenstrikenyc in Washington Square Park talking about how to achieve equity for women, BIPOC and gender minorities in healthcare and how badly @MountSinaiNYC is failing at this. #dobettermountsinai pic.twitter.com/ZhIMESkMTy
— Equity Now at Mount Sinai (@EquityNowSinai) March 6, 2022
INTO representing teachers across the island or ireland at today’s @NWCI #nowomanleftbehind rally outside Leinster House. #InternationalWomensDay #IWD2022 pic.twitter.com/Kex8OdWbTL
— INTO (Irish National Teachers' Organisation) (@INTOnews) March 5, 2022
Thank you so, so much to the 1,500 people who showed up for our Women's Rally today. You showed government you want action on the critical issues - we'll keep fighting for equality & progress 💪 #NoWomanLeftBehind #IWD2022 pic.twitter.com/WgG5WPylca
— Womenscouncilireland (@NWCI) March 5, 2022
Other events held so far have included bicycle rides and awards ceremonies:
Bhimdutt became the 1st Municipality of Sudurpaschim Province in the Greenway Campaign.On the occasion of #iwd2022 the campaign was launched along with presentation of bicycles to 40 school girls from 8 schools.A bicycle rally followed the program with more than 70 bicycle riders pic.twitter.com/pRzUyBrTBR
— Greenway Nepal (@GreenwayNepal) March 5, 2022
Your Women’s Event Of The Year🏅
— @Monic (@ami_monic) March 7, 2022
Congratulations @AwaGaiESQ and Team for recognizing and celebrating Stars In Gambian Women✨⭐️✨
A night of Class, Elegance and Glamour it was!!@SheAwardsGambia #IWD2022 pic.twitter.com/LSCGbEAOBC
Women's Climate Strike
Tying in with the UN’s 2022 theme focusing on the impact of climate change on women, 'Women’s Climate Strike' protests have also been scheduled to coincide with International Women’s Day, under the slogan ‘The Wait of the World’. “Women carry the weight of the climate crisis and the burden of waiting for the world to act […],” the Women’s Climate Strike’s website says. “We therefore call on all women to take climate action on International Women’s Day.”
International Women's Day 2022 - 8th March - will be a women's day of climate action. See the link below for more details, and to add your action to the map! No action is too small! All are welcome to take part, in whatever way makes most sense for them. https://t.co/iauzycNuMT pic.twitter.com/9UUctCqyIW
— Women's Climate Strike (@womenscs) January 15, 2022
Virtual UN event
Amid the ongoing covid-19 pandemic, there are many online events, too. Notably, the UN is holding a virtual International Women’s Day observance, which it says is “in recognition of women and girls who are leading the charge on climate change adaptation and response, and to honour their leadership and contribution towards a sustainable future.”
The event, which takes place from 10am to 11:30am ET on Tuesday, will feature addresses by a variety of speakers, as well as music. You can watch it on UN Web TV.
Search for International Women's Day events
You’ll find a directory of talks, round tables, seminars and many other kinds of events going on across the globe on the International Women’s Day website.