International Women’s Day: Celebrating Achievements, Advancing Equality

Every year on March 8, the world unites to celebrate International Women’s Day, a global occasion dedicated to honoring women’s achievements and advocating for gender equality. What began as a movement for workers’ rights in the early 20th century has evolved into a widely recognized event observed in over 100 countries.

The origins of International Women’s Day trace back to 1908, when thousands of women in New York City marched for better working conditions, fair wages, and the right to vote. Inspired by their activism, the Socialist Party of America declared the first National Women’s Day in 1909. The idea gained international momentum, and in 1910, German activist Clara Zetkin proposed establishing an annual Women’s Day at the International Socialist Congress in Copenhagen. The proposal received unanimous approval, leading to the first official celebration in 1911 across Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland.

Poster for Women’s Day, March 8, 1914, demanding voting rights for women.

March 8 became the official date