International Women's Day 2025: Why it is celebrated and Check history behind 8th March Celebration

Every year on March 8, the world comes together to celebrate International Women's Day (IWD), a day dedicated to recognising women's achievements across various fields and advocating for gender equality. 

Theme for International Women's Day 2025

Each year, IWD is celebrated with a specific theme that highlights key aspects of gender equality. The themes for 2025 include:

• United Nations (UN) Theme: “For All Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment," This theme highlights the significance of establishing a more equitable world by ensuring equal opportunities, rights, and empowerment for all women and girls.
• Official IWD Website Theme: "Accelerate Action." – This theme encourages individuals, organisations, and governments to take concrete steps to advance women’s rights and remove barriers to progress.

The year 2025 marks a significant milestone as it commemorates 30 years since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. This landmark agreement remains one of the most comprehensive frameworks for advancing women's and girls’ rights globally. Over the years, it has influenced legal protections, improved access to essential services, increased youth engagement, and challenged outdated social norms and stereotypes.

To accelerate progress, individuals and communities must engage with key stakeholders—including media, corporate leaders, governments, civil society, and youth activists—to advocate for gender equality. Encouraging leaders to invest in policies and initiatives that uplift women and girls is essential. Additionally, sharing stories and messages on digital platforms using #ForAllWomenAndGirls can help raise awareness, foster discussions, and inspire meaningful action.

It is also an occasion to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of women in different roles—whether as mothers, daughters, professionals, or leaders.

Beyond celebration, International Women's Day serves as a crucial platform for highlighting the challenges women face, from workplace inequality to barriers in education and political participation. It is a time to reflect on the ongoing struggle for women's rights and to push for a more inclusive and equitable society.

This day reminds us of the importance of empowering women, ensuring their safety, and eliminating discrimination in all its forms. While many enthusiastically prepare for the festivities, not everyone is fully aware of the historical and social significance behind March 8 as a global day of recognition and advocacy.

Why is Women’s Day celebrated?

Women’s Day is celebrated to recognise and honour the contributions of women in various fields while advocating for gender equality and women's rights. It originated from early 20th-century labour movements and demands for better working conditions, voting rights, and equal opportunities. The day highlights progress in women's empowerment, raises awareness about ongoing gender disparities, and encourages action toward a more inclusive society. Officially recognised by the United Nations in 1977, March 8 serves as a global platform to celebrate achievements, promote policy changes, and reinforce the commitment to eliminating discrimination against women.

What is the history of International Women’s Day?

International Women's Day (IWD) has been celebrated since the early 1900s, a period marked by rapid industrialisation, social unrest, and the rise of progressive movements. It has evolved into a global event advocating for women's rights and gender equality.

Early Beginnings

World War Era and Expansion

• 1913-1914: Russian women observed IWD on February 23 (Julian Calendar), later aligning with March 8 in the Gregorian Calendar, which remains the official IWD date.
• 1914: Women across Europe organised rallies against World War I. In London, Sylvia Pankhurst was arrested while advocating for women's suffrage.
• 1917: Russian women led a strike for "Bread and Peace" during WWI, which contributed to the abdication of the Czar and led to the granting of voting rights to women.

Institutional Recognition

21st Century: A Renewed Focus

• 2000s: The launch of internationalwomensday.com in 2001 was to encourage participation and raise awareness of International Women's Day, as public engagement with IWD had declined.
• 2011: In the U.S., President Barack Obama declared March 2011 as "Women's History Month," which coincided with the 100th anniversary of IWD.
• Recent IWD Themes:
• For All Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, and Empowerment (2025)
• InspireInclusion (2024)
• EmbraceEquity (2023)
• BreakTheBias (2022)
• ChooseToChallenge (2021)

Modern-Day Observance and Impact

• IWD is recognised as a public holiday in several countries, including Russia, China (for women only), Vietnam, and Uzbekistan.
• Celebrations include rallies, conferences, cultural events, and corporate initiatives promoting gender equality.
• Global corporations and news media actively participate, promoting IWD-related campaigns and features.

Future Outlook

Despite progress, gender disparities persist:

• Women still face wage gaps and under-representation in leadership roles.
• Issues such as gender-based violence and unequal access to education remain global concerns.
• IWD continues to serve as a platform to inspire action and celebrate achievements in the ongoing pursuit of gender equality.

Every year, IWD unites people worldwide to honour women’s contributions and push for further progress toward a more equitable society.

Conclusion:

International Women's Day is a global call to action for gender equality, empowerment, and social justice, as well as a celebration. As we mark 30 years of the Beijing Declaration, collective efforts from governments, corporations, and individuals are crucial in eliminating discrimination, promoting leadership, and ensuring equal opportunities for all women and girls.