International Women's Day

International Women's Day is a day dedicated to honoring the achievements of women throughout history in the social, economic, cultural, and political spheres. It is typically a day for women from all different backgrounds and cultures all across the globe. The day, collectively founded by women, also brings attention to gender parity and women's rights.

Global celebration of International Women’s Day is a time for reflection of how far women have come, advocacy for what is still needed, and action to continue breaking down barriers. With over a century of history, this is a growing movement cantered around unity and strength.

Originally called National Woman’s Day, International Women’s Day has over a century old history. The first glimpse of it was in 1909 when the Socialist Party of America celebrated 15,000 women who protested because of long work hours, low pay, and the lack of voting rights in New York City. In 1910, International Socialist Woman's Conference proposed for "a special Women's Day" be organized annually. The annual celebrations started in 1911 and went on to become official holiday in Russia by 1913. Women in Russia were then still experiencing difficulties caused by WWI; where in while men were off at war, women dealt with food shortages and a government who wouldn’t listen to them.

On March 8, 1917 (February 23 in the former Russian calendar), tens of thousands of Russian women took to the streets demanding change. The unified cry for help paved the way for Russian women to be granted voting rights soon after. March 8 became a national holiday thereafter. In 1975, the United Nations officially recognized International Women’s Day and in 1996, the day began to adopt an annual theme for every year.

The first theme was "Celebrating the past, planning for the Future" and it has come a long way. This year’s (2020) theme is “Each for equal” draws on the notion of "collective individualism," which refers to the idea that every individual is a part of a whole, and that an individual's actions, behaviors, and mindsets can all have an impact on larger society.

There are many ways in which International women’s day is celebrated over the years and numerous events are held worldwide on this day every year. Special events such as global gatherings and informative conferences to powerful art exhibitions and festivals have been held by women's networks, charities, political parties, corporations, and other communities. The color purple has become an international symbol for women and millions of women participate in events by wearing purple on March 8 each year around the world.

International Women's Day is an official holiday in lot of countries, including: Afghanistan, Cuba, Russia, Vietnam etc. In many of these countries, tradition holds that men honor their mothers, wives, girlfriends, and colleagues with flowers and small presents. In other nations, the day is celebrated in which children give gifts to their mothers and grandmothers celebrating the womanhood. In other countries, like Nepal and China, it is a holiday for women.

As for the India, International Women's Day isn't recognized as an official holiday. This doesn't stop the flurry of lively celebrations from taking place across India, though, as numerous political rallies, business conferences, and government and corporate events happen all across the country to honor the special day and bring together women of all different backgrounds and cultures. It is gaining more and more importance, year after year.  

International Women's Day is an occasion to celebrate the progress made towards achieving gender equality and women's empowerment but also to critically reflect on those accomplishments and strive for a greater momentum towards gender equality worldwide. It is a day to recognize the extraordinary acts of women and to stand together, as a united force, to advance gender equality around the world.