International Women’s Day (IWD), observed annually on March 8th, commemorates the global advancements and invaluable contributions of women across various spheres including social, economic, cultural, and political domains.
Dating back to 1911, the day serves as a catalyst for promoting gender equality and instigating transformative societal change.
Every year, March 8th galvanizes a worldwide call to action, inspiring a plethora of activities aimed at expediting progress towards gender parity. These initiatives encompass celebrating women’s achievements, advocating for their rights, and extending support to organizations dedicated to women-centric causes.
Recognized as a pivotal date each year, International Women’s Day stands as a cornerstone for celebrating women’s accomplishments, amplifying discussions on gender equality, advocating for swifter progress towards parity, and mobilizing resources for initiatives geared towards women.
History of International Women’s Day International Women’s Day traces its roots to the early 1900s, a period marked by significant societal upheavals spurred by rapid industrialization and the emergence of radical ideologies. In 1908, amidst growing awareness of women’s oppression and inequality, women began actively campaigning for change.
A notable event took place in New York City where 15,000 women marched, demanding improved working conditions such as shorter hours, better pay, and voting rights. Subsequently, in line with a declaration by the Socialist Party of America, the first National Woman’s Day was observed across the United States on February 28th the following year. Women continued this tradition on the last Sunday of February until 1913.
In 1910, at the Second International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen, Clara Zetkin proposed the idea of an International Women’s Day to champion women’s demands on a global scale. The proposal garnered unanimous approval from the conference attendees, paving the way for the inception of International Women’s Day.
After the resolution made at the Copenhagen conference in Denmark in 1911, International Women’s Day was officially observed for the first time in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland.
Colors Associated with International Women’s Day The colors associated with International Women’s Day – purple, green, and white – each carry symbolic significance. Purple symbolizes justice and dignity, green signifies hope, and white, though debated, represents purity. These colors were adopted by the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) in the UK in 1908.
Quotes on ‘Women’ Here are some insightful quotes about women by renowned thinkers:
“The question isn’t who’s going to let me, it’s who is going to stop me.” – Ayn Rand
“The fastest way to change society is to mobilize the women of the world.” – Charles Malik
“Well-behaved women seldom make history.” – Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
“I do not wish women to have power over men, but over themselves.” – Mary Wollstonecraft
“I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own.” – Audre Lorde
“Women are the real architects of society.” – Harriet Beecher Stowe
“Feminism isn’t about making women strong. Women are already strong. It’s about changing the way the world perceives that strength.” – G.D. Anderson.”