Why why the international women's Day is Celebrated?
International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8 every year to recognize and honor the achievements of women in various fields—social, economic, cultural, and political. It also serves as a call to action for gender equality and women's rights.
Why is it celebrated?
To Honor Women's Achievements – Celebrates contributions of women in history, science, politics, arts, and other fields.
To Promote Gender Equality – Highlights the challenges women face and advocates for equal rights and opportunities.
To Raise Awareness Against Discrimination – Brings attention to issues like gender-based violence, wage gaps, and lack of education.
To Inspire Change – Encourages governments, organizations, and individuals to work toward a more inclusive society.
History of International Women’s Day
1908 – Women in New York protested for better working conditions, shorter hours, and voting rights.
1910 – Clara Zetkin, a German activist, proposed the idea of Women's Day at the International Socialist Women's Conference.
1911 – First official Women's Day was celebrated in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland.
1977 – The United Nations officially recognized March 8 as International Women's Day.
Each year, IWD has a theme to focus on different aspects of women's rights. It is celebrated globally with rallies, disory behind International Women's Day (IWD) is deeply rooted in the struggles of working women for equal rights and better conditions.
The Story Behind International Women’s Day
The origins of IWD go back to the early 20th century, when women, especially those working in factories, faced poor working conditions, long hours, low wages, and lack of voting rights. Several key events led to the establishment of Women's Day:
1. The 1908 Women's Protest in New York
On March 8, 1908, 15,000 women marched through the streets of New York City, demanding:
Shorter working hours
Better wages
Voting rights
An end to child labor
This protest became one of the first major movements for women’s rights.
2. The 1910 International Socialist Women’s Conference
In 1910, Clara Zetkin, a German activist, proposed the idea of an International Women's Day at a socialist women’s conference in Copenhagen, Denmark.
She suggested that women in every country should celebrate a day to fight for their rights.
More than 100 women from 17 countries supported her idea.
3. The First Women's Day in 1911
The first official International Women's Day was celebrated on March 19, 1911, in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland.
More than 1 million people took part in protests and rallies.
However, tragedy struck soon after. On March 25, 1911, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York killed over 140 women—most were young immigrant workers trapped inside due to poor safety measures. This disaster highlighted the need for better labor rights for women.
4. Women’s Day and the Russian Revolution (1917)
In Russia, on March 8, 1917, women went on strike demanding “bread and peace”, protesting war, food shortages, and poor working conditions.
Their protests led to the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II, and Russian women gained the right to vote soon after.
Inspired by this, March 8 was officially chosen as International Women’s Day.
5. UN Recognition in 1977
In 1977, the United Nations (UN) officially declared March 8 as International Women’s Day.
Since then, the day has been celebrated globally, with different themes each year focusing on women’s rights and equality.
Why March 8?
March 8 was chosen to honor the Russian women’s protest in 1917, which was a major turning point in the fight for women's rights.
The date also connects with earlier protests, such as the 1908 march in New York.
The Legacy
Today, International Women’s Day is celebrated worldwide with events, speeches, and campaigns promoting gender equality, women’s empowerment, and social justice. It is a day to recognize progress and continue the fight for equal opportunities.
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