Like every other year, the whole world will commemorate International women’s day on 8th March this year as well.

At this point one might be compelled to ask, ‘why do we need a specific day to celebrate women?’ or ‘isn’t everyday women’s day?’

It is important to understand that for years women have faced subjugation and been treated as the weaker gender. Women have also been striving for equality and equity, owing to which this day holds ample importance. 

International Women’s Day is celebrated worldwide in honour of gender equality and women's accomplishments. People may call it “feminist’s day” but women’s equality is as important as anything else in this world. It is distinguished by defending women's rights, keeping essential pledges, and recognizing their accomplishments.

IWD is about standing up for women's rights, upholding important commitments, and acknowledging women’s attainments. It also implies meetings and celebrations, and that every decision counts. These decisions are a part of the worldwide effort to advance women. The celebration of International Women's Day promotes gender parity and encourages aid for organizations that assist women all around the world.

How it started:

International Women's Day was initially associated with labour movements at the start of the 20th century in North America and throughout Europe. It was formally acknowledged by the UN in 1977. 

On February 28th, the US celebrated the inaugural National Woman's Day. This day was set aside by the Socialist Party of America in remembrance of the 1909 New York garment workers' strike, during which women protested unfavourable working conditions.

In support of women's rights and world peace, the UN General Assembly proclaimed March 8 as International Women's Day in 1977, kicking off the United Nations' celebration of the holiday. Since then, the UN has recognized the day by announcing a theme/topic each year.In 1996, the UN established its first national theme: "Celebrating the Past, Preparing for the Future." It was originally observed by the UN in 1975. 

This year the UN is promoting transformational technology and digital education among women and girls and looking into how the digital gender gap contributes to growing economic and social disparities.

 Why this day is celebrated all over the world?

Worldwide celebrations of International Women's Day include the giving of flowers and gifts to women. Sylvia Pankhurst was detained on March 8, 1914, in London while participating in a women's suffrage march. 

In order to acknowledge women's achievements and keep up the call for gender equity, the internationalwomensday.com website was launched in 2001. The IWD website offers a forum for supporters and promotes group action to advance women's equality by emphasizing the value of cooperation and group effort.

According to research, when women and girls have access to opportunities, culture will bloom more, financial systems are more likely to prosper, and governments are better able to meet the needs of all their citizens. In 2011, US President Barack Obama called for March to be recognized as Women's History Month.

According to a UN report released in September 2022 titled Advancement on the Sustainable Development Goals: The gender snapshot 2022, the loss of $1 trillion in GDP caused by women's exclusion from the digital world in low- and middle-income countries over the previous ten years will increase to $1.5 trillion by 2025.

IWD Theme of 2023:

There are two topics that get selected every year. One by the internationalwomensday.com website and one by the UN. IWD website decided this year’s theme as #EmbraceEquity and the UN’s theme is 'DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality'. 

The global campaign theme for IWD 2023 is "EmbraceEquity," which aims to dispel gender stereotypes, denounce prejudice, call out discrimination, and promote inclusion. Change is sparked by collective activity, and by embracing fairness, everyone can better comprehend the path towards achieving women's equality.

Colour for the day:

The Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) in the UK introduced the hues in 1908. International Women's Day is celebrated in the colours purple, green, and white. Purple represents justice, honour, and loyalty to the cause. Green represents optimism. White is said to symbolize purity, yet this idea is debatable. 

Key objective for celebrating IWD

The purpose of International Women's Day is to recognize the achievements of women and to promote gender equality. This day also works to advance gender equality by supporting equal participation in society, the economy, culture, and politics in order to guarantee that the most vulnerable members of our societal structure have equal rights in all respects.

 

Let’s Observe International Women’s Day with joy and hope of getting the equality and appreciation for the things that women do, for society without asking for anything in return. This year, You and We will cherish the success and the upcoming endeavors of women until inequality vanishes from the world, once and for all.