International Women’s Day: meaning, origin and why is it celebrated on March 8?
First held over a century ago, International Women’s Day highlights the achievements, challenges and struggles of women around the world.
On March 8, 2025, the world will commemorate International Women’s Day, a date dedicated to recognizing the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, as well as reflecting on the ongoing challenges in the fight for gender equality.
Gender discrimination negatively impacts girls and women every day in almost every society. There are countries in which they cannot dress as they like, drive, work at night or inherit property, and do not have the freedom to choose the person they marry.
And even in a nation such as the United States, where many women’s rights are protected by law, 42% of working females say they have faced discrimination on the job based on their gender, while women are regularly paid less than male counterparts in the same role.
Sadly, despite the many years of struggle for a fairer world, the need for International Women’s Day remains as great as ever.
What is the theme of International Women’s Day 2025?
For 2025, the central theme of International Women’s Day is “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress”, emphasizing the importance of dedicating resources and efforts to achieve effective and sustainable gender equality.
"#Genderequality can never be achieved if everyone sits on the sidelines. We need to take action to make it happen. While there has been progress, it has been slow," says Melanie Garber, who created this #AccelerateAction #lettering #design for #IWD2025 👉🏼 https://t.co/11bVJTXxjS pic.twitter.com/zkk7avRaeM
— Women's Day (@womensday) March 7, 2025
How did IWD come about?
On 28 February 1908, 15,000 women took part in a march in New York City, calling for shorter working hours, better pay and the right to vote. A year later, the Socialist Party of America marked the anniversary of the march by declaring it the first National Woman’s Day.
At this stage it was only an American celebration, but in 1910 the women’s rights advocate Clara Zetkin addressed the International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen, and suggested that they make the event international.
The 100 women in attendance unanimously supported the idea and on 19 March 1911, the first International Women’s Day was celebrated in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland, as well as the US. IWD remained a stand-alone event until 1975, when the UN began marking the day and organised celebrations.
In the years after 1911, 8 March established itself as International Women’s Day - a choice chiefly rooted in a mass demonstration held by Russian women on this date in 1917. The protest, which began when female textile workers in Petrograd demanded the right to vote, plus an end to World War I and food shortages, had a role in bringing about the Russian Revolution.
Commemorations in the United States
In the United States, International Women’s Day is celebrated in various ways, with events held across the country to highlight women’s progress and advocate for equal rights and opportunities. Some of the main activities include:
- Marches and Demonstrations: In cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, thousands of people participate in marches demanding equal pay, access to reproductive health, and greater representation of women in positions of power. Feminist organizations and community groups organize massive marches, often accompanied by musical performances and speeches from activists.
- Educational Projects: Many universities and colleges in the U.S. host conferences, lectures, and panels on topics such as the gender pay gap, sexual harassment, and domestic violence. These activities aim to educate younger generations about the importance of gender equality.