International Women’s Day (IWD) is a day that everyone in the world can celebrate, whether you are a woman or not. It’s marked on March 8th each year and is the perfect opportunity to celebrate and recognise the many achievements of women across the world. It’s also a call to action in the fight for gender equality.
This year’s theme is “Accelerate Action”, emphasising the need for swift and decisive steps to achieve gender parity. But it’s not all about the gender pay gap that we in the West often equate with women’s rights. It’s hard to believe but in this day and age, there are still countries where women are denied the basic human rights to an education, a voice within their government systems, choices over their own bodies, and access to reproductive healthcare services. International Women’s Day is a day to stand up and show that you support this important cause and advocate for fair treatment of 50% of the world’s population!
Origins of International Women’s Day
IWD has its roots in the early 20th century, born out of labour movements and the fight for women’s rights. The first National Women’s Day was observed in the United States in 1909, and the first official International Women’s Day was marked in 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland. In 1977, the United Nations officially recognised March 8th as International Women’s Day and has been promoting it ever since.
Aims of International Women’s Day 2025
The aim of IWD 2025 is to “Accelerate Action” for gender equality. This involves acknowledging and supporting strategies, resources, and activities that positively impact women’s advancement. The focus is on addressing systemic barriers and biases, promoting women’s economic empowerment, and supporting women and girls in leadership and decision-making roles.
Organisations
Several organisations are involved in promoting and celebrating IWD 2025. These include:
- UN Women: Working towards gender equality at all levels of society.
- International Women’s Day Organisation: Coordinating global events and providing resources for impactful IWD activities.
- Local NGOs and Charities: Supporting women-focused initiatives and fundraising efforts.
Global celebrations of International Women’s Day
IWD is celebrated in many different ways around the world as you might expect for an international day. Here are some examples:
- United States: Parades, rallies, and educational events are held in major cities to honour women’s achievements
- India: Women participate in marches, cultural performances, and community service activities
- Australia: Schools and workplaces organize events to celebrate women’s contributions to society
- United Kingdom: Concerts, exhibitions, and charity runs are common ways to mark the day
- South Africa: Women’s groups organize workshops and discussions on gender equality and empowerment
It doesn’t matter where you live, you can celebrate the day with friends, families or your wider community. IDW is about participation and action, so plan ahead and find a way to celebrate, even if that is just having a coffee with a female friend and celebrating your friendship.
The colours
International Women’s Day (IWD) is often associated with the colours purple, green, and white which were the original colours of the suffrage movement. Each colour has its own significance:
- Purple: Represents dignity and justice. Historically, it was used by the suffragette movement in the early 20th century to symbolise women’s dignity
- Green: Symbolises hope. It was also used by the suffragettes to represent the hope for a better future
- White: Stands for purity and peace. It was another colour adopted by the suffragettes to signify their peaceful approach to achieving their goals
These colours are often seen in banners, ribbons, and clothing during IWD celebrations, reflecting the historical struggle for women’s rights and the ongoing efforts towards gender equality.
Inspirational international women
No celebration of IWD would be complete without giving a thought to the achievements of great women down the centuries and across the miles. Here are some examples of inspirational international women who have made significant contributions to their communities or the world as a whole:
- Malala Yousafzai: A Pakistani activist for girls’ education and the youngest-ever Nobel Prize laureate
- Greta Thunberg: A Swedish environmental activist known for her work in climate change advocacy
- Nirmala Sitharaman: India’s first full-time female minister of finance and corporate affairs
- Claudia Sheinbaum: The first woman to become president of Mexico.
- Bela Bajaria: Netflix’s chief content officer responsible for hits like “Bridgerton” and “Lupin”
- Malina Ngai: Group CEO of AS Watson, an international health and beauty retailer with $23 billion in revenue
- Janet Truncale: EY’s Global Chair and CEO, the first woman to lead a Big Four audit firm
- Jane Austen: An English novelist known for works like “Pride and Prejudice” and “Sense and Sensibility.
- Ada Lovelace: An English mathematician credited as the world’s first computer programmer
- Florence Nightingale: A British nurse known as the founder of modern nursing
I’m sure you will be able to think of many more, and you can always visit the IDW website at: International Women’s Day 2025 for some inspirational success stories.
An alternative view of success
There are so many women who have contributed to society over the years, many of whom have not been recognised in international circles. You will know some of these from your own communities, and you may well be one of these yourself. Success is often judged by the society around us, and there are many different versions of what it means to be successful, so I use this term lightly. For me, a successful woman can be someone who is quietly bringing up her children in extreme circumstances, unbeknown to anyone other than her immediate family. It could be someone struggling to maintain their education when educational routes have been discontinued, or a woman trying to find her self-esteem again whilst living in an abusive relationship. Success is not all about prizes and international recognition. Many women succeed every day by showing the grit and determination not to let life and difficult circumstances overwhelm them.
How to celebrate International Women’s Day 2025
Here are some practical ways to celebrate and engage with IWD 2025:
- Attend local or virtual events: Look for IWD events in your community, such as workshops, talks, and rallies.
- Support women-owned businesses: Make a conscious effort to shop from women-owned businesses in your local area or online.
- Donate to women-focused charities: Consider making a donation to organisations that support women’s rights and empowerment, women’s shelters or those engaged with promoting women’s education.
- Educate yourself and others: Share information about gender equality and the importance of IWD with your friends and family.
- Advocate for change: Use your voice to advocate for policies and practices that promote gender equality in your workplace and community.
Conclusion
International Women’s Day is more than just a celebration—it’s a call to action. By accelerating action for gender equality, we can create a more inclusive and equitable world for all. Let’s come together on March 8th, 2025, to celebrate women’s achievements and commit to making a positive difference.
Let me know in the comments below how you will be celebrating the day.
For more information, free and paid resources and to sign up for the campaigns, visit: International Women’s Day 2025
Thanks for this article on International Women’s Day 2025! I really appreciate how you emphasised its ongoing importance in fighitng for gender equality. The theme “Accelerate Action” reminds me that while progress has been made, there’s still much to be done, especially in countries where women continue to fight for basic rights.
I also loved your perspective on success. It’s so true that success isn’t just about public recognition or accolades. The quiet strength of women who overcome personal hardships, care for their families, or pursue education against all odds is just as inspiring as the achievements of world-renowned figures. Thanks too for your ideas on how to celebrate. What things are you going to be doing?
Hi Kavitha. Thanks for your kind comments. I’m really pleased that you liked the perspective on success for women as sometimes we can forget the hard work and dedication that just being a woman needs in many countries. And I don’t just mean in so-called ‘third-world’ countries. Many people in the US now are having to fight for reproductive rights.
To answer your question, I will be marking the day on my social media sites to raise awareness and since it’s a Saturday, I’m arranging a little meet-up for some amazing women I know to celebrate too. I’ll let you know how it goes! All the best for your own celebrations. Gail
This article is well written and comprehensively explaining about the history of international woman and the empowerment it brings to people. its has broaden my horizon on some of the things to do in woman’s day like supporting woman-owned businesses. It might not look like much but based on this article. I have a new profound respect to woman now.
Dear Ravin. Thanks for your kind comments and I’m glad that the article helped to give you a deeper respect for the role women play. As mentioned in the article, we’ve come a long way but there is still much work to be done. This can be done one person at a time, so if I’ve managed to make you think a little more about the topic and assess your own views and thoughts, I’ll consider that a success! Take care. Gail