As we come together to celebrate International Women’s Day, we explore 2025’s theme, the trailblazing history behind the event and what we can do to really make a change
March 8th is a significant date on the global calendar as it commemorates International Women’s Day (IWD), honouring women from all around the world for their social, economic, cultural, and political achievements, while also continually advocating for gender equality. IWD raises awareness of gender inequality by highlighting ongoing issues such as the gender pay gap, lack of representation in leadership roles, gender-based violence, and unequal access to education and opportunities.
Each year, the day celebrates a different theme to encourage broader conversations and help those organising rallies and events reflect on relevant issues today. This year’s theme is “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment”.
The theme marks three decades since global leaders pledged to achieve a world where women’s rights, gender equality, and empowerment are a reality for all women and girls. This vision was solidified in the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a ground-breaking framework unmatched in its ambition.
“International Women’s Day is a celebration of the great strides we have made towards gender equality in the past 30 years, but it should also be a time of reflection and action,” Tabitha Morton, Executive Director of UN Women UK, tells The Mirror. “Progress for women and girls has been made, but it has been slow, fragile, and uneven.”
The history of International Women’s Day
IWD began in the early 20th century to promote women’s rights, particularly suffrage – the right to vote in political elections. In its campaign, the Socialist Party of America held the first National Women’s Day in 1909, which was celebrated with mass meetings across the United States. This annual celebration continued until 1913.
However, in 1910, German activist Clara Zetkin urged the International Socialist Congress to establish an international version of the US holiday. Consequently, on 19 March 1911, the first IWD was celebrated across Denmark, Switzerland, Austria, and Germany. Notably, more than a million men and women attended rallies campaigning for women’s rights to work, vote, be trained, to hold public office and end discrimination, further demonstrating the day’s significance and necessity in society.
However, just under a week later, on March 25 1911, the tragic ‘Triangle Fire’ in New York City claimed the lives of over 140 working women, primarily Italian and Jewish immigrants. This devastating incident highlighted the critical issues surrounding working conditions and labour laws in the United States, which later became central to subsequent International Women’s Day events.
In the following years, more countries came together to celebrate IWD on various days throughout March. However, on 8 March 1917, women in St. Petersburg, Russia, marked the occasion by organising a wartime strike to protest food shortages, poor living conditions, and World War I. This historic strike for ‘bread and peace’ helped spark the Russian Revolution of 1917, which resulted in the abdication of Nicholas II on 15 March and granted women the right to vote.
In 1921, the date of International Women’s Day (IWD) was officially changed to March 8th in recognition of the contributions of Russian women. However, it took the United Nations more than 50 years to mark its first IWD on March 8, 1975, coinciding with the declaration of 1975 as International Women’s Year.
Now, 50 years after the United Nations recognised the day, International Women’s Day (IWD) has become a cherished annual celebration honouring the ongoing successes of the women’s rights movement.
How you can make a difference this International Women’s Day
This year, in celebration of International Women’s Day, UN Women UK, a charity focused on providing safety, choice, and a voice for every woman and girl in the UK, has initiated a pledge campaign. This campaign encourages society to commit to actions that promote gender equality and empower women.
You can get involved too by signing the digital pledge, which will allow individuals, schools, universities, and businesses from all sectors can demonstrate their support for gender equality and vow to take specific actions contributing to a fairer and more equitable world. You can also donate to the cause.
“There is still much work ahead to close the gender pay gap, ensure women’s safety, and fairly value unpaid care work,” Morton says. “We call on people, corporations and communities to turn commitments into action and promises into progress to ensure a truly equal future for ALL women and girls.”
How will you celebrate International Women’s Day? Let us know in the comments section below.