INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 2023
When is 2024 International Women’s Day celebrated in the United States?
The annual celebration of women began more than a century ago, but was only officially marked by the UN in 1975.
International Women’s Day is an annual celebration of social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women around the world.
The global celebration takes place on 8 March every year, reportedly to commemorate a protest by women garment workers in New York. The meaning behind the date has also been linked back to a workers’ celebration in the USSR, but no one knows for sure exactly why that particular date was first chosen.
Either way, this year’s International Women’s Day will take place on Friday, 8 March 2024.
What are the origins of International Women’s Day?
The celebration undoubtedly has some links to a women’s rights movements in socialist Russia, before later becoming a unified day to mark the achievement of women more broadly.
In the US the first National Women’s Day was celebrated on 28 February 1909, although this tradition only lasted for five editions. At around the same time a similar movement was gaining traction in Russia with an annual celebration of women’s achievement. This gained pace and in 1917 Russian women held a strike for ‘Bread and Peace’ at the end of the First World War.
The four-day strike eventually ended with the Czar forced to abdicate and the government that stepped in granted women the right to vote for the first time. The start date of the strike was Sunday, 23 February in Russia, which used the Julian calendar at the time. In the Gregorian calendar that translated to 8 March, and that became the date that would become synonymous with International Women’s Day in future.
The first International Women’s Day took place in 1975 when the United Nations officially designated it the Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace.
What is the theme of International Women’s Day 2023?
In 1996 the UN announced the first annual theme for International Women’s Day, which was designed to shed light on a specific part of the experiences of women each year. That first iteration was the theme of “Celebrating the past, Planning for the Future,” followed in 1997 by “Women at the Peace table.”
This year’s theme is ‘Inspire Inclusion’.
In 2024, the aim is to inspire others to understand and value women’s inclusion, and ultimately forge a better world. Inclusion creates a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment.
This year’s campaign theme highlights the crucial role of inclusion in achieving gender equality. It calls for action to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes and create environments where all women are valued and respected. Inspire Inclusion encourages everyone to recognize the unique perspectives and contributions of women from all walks of life, including those from marginalized communities.
Education and awareness play key roles in fostering inclusion and empowering women. Through initiatives such as mentorship programs, educational workshops, and advocacy campaigns, individuals and organizations can create opportunities for women to thrive. By providing support and resources, women can be empowered to overcome obstacles and achieve their full potential.