International Women's Day 2024: History, Purpose & Awareness Tips

When is International Women's Day

• International Women's Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the historical, cultural, and political achievements of women
• International Women's Day is annually celebrated on March 4 annually to celebrate women's rights & uphold women's achievements all around the world.

International Women's Day 2023

International Women's Day 2023 Theme

This International Women’s Day 2023 Theme, 8 March 2023, under UN Women and the United Nations is celebrated under the theme DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality.

International Women's Day History

• International Women's Day (IWD) has a rich history that dates back more than 100 years.
• The first IWD was observed on February 28th, 1909, in New York City, when the Socialist Party of America organized a Women's Day to honor the 1908 garment workers' strike in New York, where women protested against working conditions and low wages.
• The following year, a Women's Day was organized in Copenhagen, Denmark, by Clara Zetkin, a German Marxist and feminist, who proposed that the day be celebrated annually to call for women's suffrage and other women's rights issues.
• The proposal was adopted by the International Socialist Women's Conference, and the first International Women's Day was celebrated on March 19th, 1911, in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland.
• In 1913, the date for IWD was changed to March 8th, and it has been celebrated on this day ever since.
• During World War I, IWD became a mechanism for protesting the war and advocating for peace.
• In 1917, Russian women observed a strike for "bread and peace" on IWD, which led to the overthrow of the Tsar and the establishment of the first women's suffrage in Russia.
• Throughout the 20th century, International Women's Day continued to be observed in many countries, and it became an official holiday in the Soviet Union in 1965.
• Today, International Women's Day is celebrated worldwide, with events and activities organized to highlight women's achievements, raise awareness about gender inequality, and call for action to promote gender equality.

International Women's Purpose

• International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8th each year and has been observed since the early 1900s.
• The purpose of this day is to acknowledge the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women around the world, while also highlighting the ongoing struggle for gender equality and women's rights.
• International Women's Day serves as a reminder that women's contributions to society often go unrecognized or undervalued, and that there is still much work to be done to create a world where women and girls can thrive and reach their full potential.
• It is a day to celebrate women's achievements, raise awareness about gender inequality, and call for action to promote gender equality.
• The theme of International Women's Day changes every year to reflect the current issues and challenges facing women.
• It is a day that is celebrated globally, with events and activities organized in many countries around the world to highlight the importance of women's rights and gender equality.

International Women's Day Significance

International Women's Day (IWD) is significant for many reasons. Here are some of the key reasons why this day is important:

To recognize women's achievements

• IWD is an opportunity to acknowledge the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women around the world.
• It is a day to celebrate the progress that has been made in advancing gender equality and women's rights.

To raise awareness about gender inequality

• IWD serves as a reminder that gender inequality remains a significant issue in many parts of the world.
• It is a day to highlight the challenges that women continue to face, including unequal pay, discrimination, and violence.

To promote gender equality

• IWD is a call to action to promote gender equality and women's rights.
• It is a day to advocate for policies and practices that promote equal opportunities for women and girls in all areas of life, including education, employment, and political participation.

To empower women

• IWD is a day to empower women and encourage them to become agents of change in their communities.
• It is a day to inspire women to take action to promote gender equality and women's rights and to support each other in their efforts.

To promote solidarity

• IWD is a day to promote solidarity among women around the world.
• It is a day to recognize that the struggle for gender equality and women's rights is a global issue and that women must work together to create a world where all women and girls can thrive.

International Women's Day Awareness Tips

If you want to raise awareness about International Women's Day and promote gender equality and women's rights, here are some tips:

1. Share information: Use your social media platforms to share information about International Women's Day, including the history of the day, its significance, and this year's theme. You can also share statistics about gender inequality and women's rights issues to raise awareness.

2. Use hashtags: Use hashtags such as #IWD, #InternationalWomensDay, and #ChooseToChallenge to join the conversation about International Women's Day on social media. You can also create your own hashtags to promote your message.

3. Attend or organize events: Look for events in your community that are celebrating International Women's Day and attend them. If there are no events in your area, consider organizing your own. You can host a panel discussion, a fundraiser, or a networking event to bring people together to talk about gender equality and women's rights.

4. Educate yourself: Take the time to learn more about the issues facing women and girls around the world. Read articles, watch documentaries, and listen to podcasts to educate yourself about gender inequality and women's rights issues.

5. Support women-owned businesses: Use International Women's Day as an opportunity to support women-owned businesses in your community. By supporting women entrepreneurs, you are helping to promote gender equality and economic empowerment for women.

6. Be an ally: Be an ally to women and girls by speaking out against gender discrimination, supporting women's leadership, and advocating for policies that promote gender equality and women's rights. Encourage others to do the same.

International Women's Day Celebration Ideas

There are many ways to celebrate International Women's Day and promote gender equality and women's rights. Here are some ideas:

Attend or organize an event

• Look for International Women's Day events in your community, such as conferences, workshops, or networking events.
• If there are no events in your area, consider organizing your own.
• You can host a panel discussion, a fundraiser, or a networking event to bring people together to talk about gender equality and women's rights.

Educate yourself

• Take the time to learn more about the issues facing women and girls around the world.
• Read articles, watch documentaries, and listen to podcasts to educate yourself about gender inequality and women's rights issues.

Support women-owned businesses

• Use International Women's Day as an opportunity to support women-owned businesses in your community
• By supporting women entrepreneurs, you are helping to promote gender equality and economic empowerment for women.

Donate to a women's organization

• Consider donating to a women's organization that promotes gender equality and women's rights.
• There are many organizations that work to advance women's rights, such as the UN Women, Girls Who Code, and Women for Women International.

Advocate for change

• Use your voice to advocate for policies and practices that promote gender equality and women's rights.
• Write letters to your elected officials, sign petitions, and use social media to raise awareness about these issues.

Celebrate women's achievements

• Take the time to celebrate the achievements of women in your life, whether it's your mother, sister, friend, or colleague.
• Send a message of appreciation, give them a gift, or take them out to lunch to show your support and celebrate their accomplishments.