International Women's Day: Why is it celebrated on March 8th?

Women’s Day is an international event, celebrated every year on March 8, to honour women's achievements. It is the day to celebrate women’s contributions throughout the world. It also shines a light on some serious issues like violence against women, reproductive rights, gender equality, workplace discrimination, and others. Women’s Day has become an important holiday every year when people from all nations unite and celebrate women's strength and empowerment in various fields. 

History of Women’s Day

The first documented Women’s Day event dates back to 1909, in New York City. Organized by the ‘Socialist Party of America’, on the last Sunday of February 1909 and 1910 demanding equal rights and better working conditions for women labourers. For many years, the US celebrated its National Women’s Day in February. In August 1910, Clara Zetkin, a German socialist, proposed the idea of “International Women’s Day” during the International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen, Denmark. 

Conference attendees from different countries agreed on the proposal and the first International Women’s Day was celebrated on March 19, 1911. However, Russia celebrated its first Women’s Day in 1913, the last Saturday of February (March 8, according to the Gregorian Calendar). From 1914 onwards, International Women’s Day was celebrated on March 8, in Germany. Many believe it’s because it was a Sunday. Since then, Women’s Day has evolved into a global event standing strong for gender equality and women’s rights. 

The importance of Women’s Day

It is a holiday and a movement to fight against oppression and sexism. Women from different backgrounds like ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, indigenous communities and many others face discrimination and systemic barriers, created to hinder their paths in life. There are many sectors where women are underrepresented and have to work harder than their male counterparts and still get lower salaries than them. This has to change.

The main focus of this event is to spread awareness and encourage females worldwide to raise their voices against violence, abuse, prejudice, and stereotyping. So, as we celebrate International Women’s Day this year and every upcoming year, let us celebrate women’s achievements, and struggles and fight back against discrimination and oppression. 

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