International Women’s Day 2025: History & Its Ongoing Impact

International Women’s Day 2025 will be observed on March 8, continuing a long-standing tradition of recognizing women’s achievements and advocating for gender equality. The significance of this day lies in its historical roots and evolving impact on societies worldwide.

Origins of International Women’s Day

The UN declared March 8 International Women’s Day in 1977, but its origins are earlier. The first National Women’s Day was on February 28, 1909, to commemorate the 1908 New York garment workers’ strike. Thousands of them embarked on a march protesting poor conditions, demanding shorter hours, improved wages, and the right to vote. The movement picked up steam around the world.

Women’s Day was initially observed on the last Sunday in February as part of the First Wave of Feminism, which emphasized legal rights such as voting and labor reforms. The early histories of International Women’s Day have been criticized as Western-centric and minimizing feminist activism outside the West, particularly in Communist and socialist regimes.

Early Feminist Movements In The U.S. and Europe

The fight for women’s rights began long before the official recognition of International Women’s Day. In 1848, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott organized the first women’s rights convention in Seneca Falls, New York, after being denied participation in an anti-slavery convention. This marked the beginning of a broader movement advocating for women’s suffrage, equal pay, and educational rights.

Stanton, a prominent feminist, famously stated in her 1892 speech The Solitude of Self:

“No matter how much women prefer to lean, to be protected and supported, nor how much men desire to have them do so, they must make the voyage of life alone… If not equal to the occasion, alike they perish.”

This sentiment captured the essence of the movement, emphasizing women’s independence and self-reliance.

The Establishment of International Women’s Day

In 1910, at the Second International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen, German socialist Clara Zetkin proposed an International Women’s Day. Zetkin, a leader in the Social Democratic Party’s Women’s Office, advocated for a day dedicated to women’s rights worldwide. Over 100 women from 17 countries supported the idea.

In 1911, International Women’s Day was observed for the first time in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland, with over one million people rallying for women’s rights. Demonstrators demanded fair working conditions, voting rights, access to education, and an end to discrimination.

Zetkin, often referred to as the “grandmother of communism,” emphasized the importance of workers’ movements in achieving gender equality. Her advocacy played a crucial role in establishing March 8 as a globally recognized day of activism.

Why March 8?

The choice of International Women Day On March 8 stems from events in Russia. On February 23, 1913 (Julian calendar), Russian women organized protests against World War I. This date corresponds to March 8 in the Gregorian calendar, widely used today.

Another significant protest occurred on February 23, 1917, when Russian women took to the streets demanding an end to the war, food shortages, and the rule of Czar Nicholas II. Initially dismissed by male revolutionaries like Leon Trotsky, these protests played a key role in sparking the Russian Revolution. Within days, the Czar was overthrown, and women in Russia gained voting rights—three years before women in the United States secured suffrage in 1920. However, women of color in the U.S. did not gain full voting rights until the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

International Women’s Day In The Modern Era

In 2011, the U.S. government, under President Barack Obama, declared March as Women’s History Month to commemorate the centennial of International Women’s Day. President Obama acknowledged the day’s significance, stating:

“International Women’s Day is a chance to pay tribute to ordinary women throughout the world and is rooted in women’s centuries-old struggle to participate in society on an equal footing with men. While enormous progress has been made, there is still work to be done before women achieve true parity.”

International Women’s Day has since evolved into a global celebration of women’s social, economic, cultural, and political achievements. Governments, organizations, and activists use the day to highlight progress and push for further gender equality initiatives.

International Women’s Day 2025 Theme

Each year, International Women’s Day adopts a specific theme to focus global attention on pressing gender issues. The International Women’s Day 2025 Theme is “Accelerate Action” that goes expect to address ongoing challenges such as the gender pay gap, women’s leadership, digital inclusion, and reproductive rights.

Themes in recent years have included #BreakTheBias (2022) and #EmbraceEquity (2023), emphasizing inclusivity and dismantling systemic barriers. As discussions around workplace equality, education, and healthcare access continue, the International Women’s Day 2025 Theme will likely reflect these priorities.

The Ongoing Fight For Gender Equality

Despite over a century of progress, gender disparities persist worldwide. Women continue to face wage inequality, limited leadership opportunities, and social barriers that hinder full participation in society. The significance of International Women’s Day on March 8 lies in its power to unite voices advocating for change.

In the 21st century, social media has amplified the reach of International Women’s Day. Movements like #MeToo and #TimesUp have gained momentum, exposing gender-based discrimination and harassment in workplaces and beyond.

Final Words

International Women’s Day 2025 will serve as a reminder of both the historical struggles and achievements of women everywhere. From its origins in labor protests to a global celebration of gender equality, this day inspires action for a more inclusive future.

As we observe International Women’s Day on March 8, we must acknowledge past achievements while recognizing ongoing work. Whether through policy changes, social movements, or individual actions, the fight for women’s rights continues to shape a more equitable world for future generations.