International Women's Day 2025: History, Significance & Why March 8 Matters for Women's Rights
- Abeera Marium Siddiqui
- March 8, 2025
- 10:00 am
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International Women’s Day 2025: This global event celebrated on March 8 emphasizes rights, equality, and empowerment for all women and girls.
International Women’s Day is a global celebration of women’s achievements and a reminder of the ongoing fight for gender equality. Observed every year on March 8, this day has a long history. It started as a movement for better working conditions, equal pay, and voting rights. Over time, it became a worldwide campaign for women’s rights
The History of International Women’s Day
The roots of International Women’s Day (IWD) go back to 1908. That year, 15,000 women marched in New York City demanding shorter working hours, better wages, and voting rights. The following year, the Socialist Party of America declared February 28, 1909, as National Women’s Day in the United States.
The movement spread to Europe and Russia. In 1910, at the Second International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen, Clara Zetkin, a German socialist leader, proposed an idea: a global Women’s Day. Over 100 women from 17 countries supported her. As a result, the first International Women’s Day was celebrated in 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland. Over one million people joined rallies for women’s rights.
Why is International Women’s Day Celebrated on March 8?
The date March 8 is linked to the 1917 Russian Revolution. On February 23, 1917, according to the Julian calendar, Russian women protested against food shortages and the impact of World War I. This date corresponded to March 8 in the Gregorian calendar. Their protests led to the downfall of Czar Nicholas II and won Russian women the right to vote.
In 1975, the United Nations (UN) officially recognized International Women’s Day. Two years later, in 1977, the UN urged all countries to observe March 8 as a global day for women’s rights.
The Significance of International Women’s Day 2025
This year, International Women’s Day 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. This historic agreement, adopted in 1995, promotes women’s rights worldwide.
Despite progress, challenges remain. The World Economic Forum predicts that full gender equality will not be achieved until 2158—more than five generations from now.
The theme for International Women’s Day 2025 is: “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.”
This theme calls for action to remove systemic barriers and ensure equal opportunities in education, employment, and leadership. It also highlights new challenges, including climate justice, digital inclusion, and economic disparities.
Women’s Rights You Should Know
International Women’s Day is a reminder of key rights that affect women worldwide. Some of the most urgent issues include:
- Gender Equality – Equal access to education, jobs, and leadership roles.
- Elimination of Violence – Ending domestic abuse, sexual harassment, and human trafficking.
- Economic Empowerment – Closing the gender pay gap and ensuring fair financial opportunities.
- Political Representation – Increasing the number of women in government and leadership.
- Health & Education – Providing quality healthcare and education for women and girls.
A Symbol of Strength & Progress
The colors of International Women’s Day have special meanings:
- Purple represents justice.
- Green symbolizes hope.
- White stands for purity.
These colors come from the suffragette movement and remain symbols of women’s empowerment today.
From its origins in labor protests to becoming a global movement, International Women’s Day 2025 highlights the ongoing fight for equality, justice, and recognition of women’s achievements.
