International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global holiday celebrated annually on March 8th to commemorate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women worldwide. It is also a time to reflect on the continued challenges women face and to advocate for gender equality.
The origins of IWD can be traced back to the early 1900s, when the labor movement in the United States began to organize women’s strikes and protests for better working conditions. In 1909, the Socialist Party of America declared the first National Women’s Day, which was celebrated on February 28th.
A year later, the International Socialist Woman’s Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, adopted a resolution to establish an international women’s day. The date of March 8th was chosen because it coincided with the first day of the Women’s Congress of the Second International.
The first International Women’s Day was observed on March 8th, 1911, in Austria, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, and Russia. More than one million people participated in the events, which included rallies, speeches, and marches.
In the following years, IWD continued to grow in popularity, and it was celebrated in many countries around the world. In 1975, the United Nations officially recognized IWD.
Today, IWD is a global celebration of women’s achievements and a call to action for gender equality. It is a time to reflect on the progress that has been made, but also to recognize the challenges that still lie ahead.
Here are some of the ways that IWD is celebrated around the world:
- Rallies and protests: Women and men gather in streets and squares to demand gender equality and justice.
- Events and conferences: Organizations hold events and conferences to discuss issues affecting women, such as education, healthcare, and employment.
- Social media campaigns: People use social media to share messages of support for women’s rights and to raise awareness about gender equality.
- Wearing purple: Purple is the official color of IWD, and many people wear it to show their solidarity with the cause.
IWD is a powerful reminder that women have made significant contributions to society, and that there is still much work to be done to achieve gender equality. It is a day to celebrate the progress that has been made, but also to recommit ourselves to the fight for a just and equitable world for all women and girls.