International Women’s Day, celebrated on March 8th, originated from women’s movements in the early 20th century.
On this day, the streets, markets, offices and other public places in many countries are adorned in pink and purple.
International Women’s Day: The origins
- The origin of the International Women’s Day is somewhat contested. During the Cold War era, the West and the Communist block held different opinions about its origins.
- Some people say it began in 1909, when socialist women and textile workers in New York marched demanding shorter hours, higher pay, and the opportunity to vote.
- Some other sources attribute its origins to anti-fascist and socialist German leader Clara Zetkin. Zetkin, also a women’s rights activist, first came up with the idea of making it a worldwide holiday. She made a suggestion to this effect at a conference for working women in Copenhagen in 1910. Women representatives from 17 different countries unanimously backed the proposal.
- European activists later began marking the day for women, demanding the right to vote and lead, for equal pay and workplace rights. Reportedly, over a million people attended these rallies.
The United Nations began to mark this occasion in 1975.
International Women’s Day: How it is celebrated
- Over the years, Women’s Day has turned into a public holiday in many countries, and a holiday for women in some. And it has become a popular occasion in most countries.
- A number of countries such as Russia observe International Women’s Day as a national holiday. In some nations such as China, many women take half-day off from work on this occasion.
- In Italy, the International Women’s Day (locally called The Festa della Donna) is observed by exchanging mimosa blooms. While it is not exactly known how this customs began, some trace its origin to post-World War II Rome.
- In the US, the month of March is observed as Women’s History Month. Every year in March, a presidential proclamation commemorates the achievements made by American women.
International Women’s Day: Theme for 2024
International Women’s Day has a specific theme every year. For 2024, the theme is ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress’. It is aimed at tackling economic disempowerment.
