Often abbreviated to IWD, the day has grown since its inception and now sees significant activity worldwide, sparking debates, rallies, campaigns, celebrations and more. As well as celebrating the achievements of women and girls around the world, the day is also an important reminder of the work that is still yet to be done in pursuit of achieving gender equality.
International Women’s Day is a time for reflection of how far women have come, advocacy for what is still needed, and action to continue breaking down barriers. With over a century of history, IWD is a growing movement centered around unity and strength.
International Women’s Day which was officially adopted by the United Nations in 1975, has a rich history dating back 108 years, at the beginning of the 20th Century women across Europe and America were finding their voice. That wanted and demanded decent jobs, better pay, and the right to vote or hold public offices, for their emancipation.
Today is a good day to remind ourselves of the revolutionary roots of International Women’s Day (IWD). The IWD was first organised by women who strived to dismantle liberal/imperialist/lean-in/girl boss feminism, not reinforce it. .It was out of this air of dissatisfaction that International Women's Day was born.
At the beginning of the 20th Century women across Europe and America were finding their voice. That wanted and demanded decent jobs, better pay, and the right to vote or hold public offices, for their emancipation. It was out of this air of dissatisfaction that International Women's Day was born.In 1909, the United States labour movement and the push for women’s suffrage were both gaining steam. Russian refugee, labor organiser, and journalist Theresa Malkiel served on the women’s committee of the Socialist Party of America. Envisioning a more active role for women within the movement, she declared February 23, 1909 “National Woman’s Day.” New York socialists celebrated with a meeting of about 2,000 people in Manhattan.
“The very first observation of our national Woman’s Day,” recalled activist Meta L,Stern three years later, “proved so successful that Woman’s Day became generally accepted as an annual Socialist holiday.” Along with May Day, she explained, the day stood “for new hopes and new ideals; the abolition of wage slavery and sex slavery; the coming of a freer, better and happier manhood and womanhood.”
In 1910 at the Second International, a world wide socialist congress, German Socialist Clara Zetkin https://teifidancer-teifidancer.blogspot.com/2015/07/happy-birthday-clara-zetkin-571857.html proclaimed International Women's day to commemorate the US demonstrators ( garment workers who had marched and picketed demanding improved working conditions and a 8 hour day) whose ranks were broken up by the police, and honour working women the world over and called for 8 March to become a global day of action for women’s rights.
Originally called National Woman’s Day, the monumental annual celebration spread across the world (officially celebrated in 1911), but it was Russia who unknowingly set the March 8 trend and helped spark a revolution. When tens of thousands of women converged in Petrograd, Russia to mark the holiday—as well as demand an end to World War I and protest food shortages—the demonstrations turned into a massive strike. Within hours, 100,000 workers, including men, walked out on their jobs to join the demonstrators.
The movement grew to as many as 150,000 striking workers within a few days. Eventually, even the Russian army joined the marchers, withdrawing their support from the Tsar Nicholas. It was the beginning of the Russian Revolution.
After World War II, the holiday picked up steam, and lost many of its associations with socialism and radical politics. As the women’s liberation movement swept around the world in the 1970s, the United Nations designated 1975 International Women's Year and celebrated the holiday for the first time. Two years later in 1977, designated March 8 International Women’s Day, and, in 1996, began to adopt an annual theme for every year. The first theme was "Celebrating the past, Planning for the Future."
Originally called National Woman’s Day, the monumental annual celebration spread across the world (officially celebrated in 1911), but it was Russia who unknowingly set the March 8 trend and helped spark a revolution. When tens of thousands of women converged in Petrograd, Russia to mark the holiday—as well as demand an end to World War I and protest food shortages—the demonstrations turned into a massive strike. Within hours, 100,000 workers, including men, walked out on their jobs to join the demonstrators.
The movement grew to as many as 150,000 striking workers within a few days. Eventually, even the Russian army joined the marchers, withdrawing their support from the Tsar Nicholas. It was the beginning of the Russian Revolution.
After World War II, the holiday picked up steam, and lost many of its associations with socialism and radical politics. As the women’s liberation movement swept around the world in the 1970s, the United Nations designated 1975 International Women's Year and celebrated the holiday for the first time. Two years later in 1977, designated March 8 International Women’s Day, and, in 1996, began to adopt an annual theme for every year. The first theme was "Celebrating the past, Planning for the Future."
The International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026 theme, Give To Gain, calls for a mindset rooted in generosity, collaboration and shared progress. Give To Gain highlights the power of reciprocity: when individuals, organisations and communities invest in women, opportunities expand, systems strengthen and societies thrive. Giving is not a loss. it is intentional multiplication. When women have access to health and rights, the benefits extend far beyond individuals, families are healthier, health systems are stronger, economies grow and societies become more just and sustainable.
IWD is a day to celebrate the social, political and other acheivements of women. A day to recognise the oppression that still flourishes, caused by both capitalism and patriarchy. An unfortunate and undeniable reality for the majority of women today.The fight for womens rights might looks a little different today, but our sisters are still facing discrimination and injustices across the globe.
In recent times, issues of women's political influence and economic equality have been joined by broader struggles against, racism, war, violence, environmental destruction, and other forms of oppression for peace and social justice and is now often spread into a whole week of activities.
Time to celebrate the gains women have made and to keep on calling for the changes that are still very much needed. Women are still not equally represented in business or politics, girls facing sexual objectification from an early age, girls told to shrink themselves make themselves smaller. Women still forced to flee domestic abuse.
Today as I observe International Womens Day, I stand up for all women still trapped by injustices, still suffering from abuse, at the end of the day I believe the women's struggle is a struggle for the freedom of all people, recuperating the fair value of people over things. I recognise the practice and theory of mutual support that women have laid, that are the foundations of social change that we must keep building.
In recent times, issues of women's political influence and economic equality have been joined by broader struggles against, racism, war, violence, environmental destruction, and other forms of oppression for peace and social justice and is now often spread into a whole week of activities.
Time to celebrate the gains women have made and to keep on calling for the changes that are still very much needed. Women are still not equally represented in business or politics, girls facing sexual objectification from an early age, girls told to shrink themselves make themselves smaller. Women still forced to flee domestic abuse.
Today as I observe International Womens Day, I stand up for all women still trapped by injustices, still suffering from abuse, at the end of the day I believe the women's struggle is a struggle for the freedom of all people, recuperating the fair value of people over things. I recognise the practice and theory of mutual support that women have laid, that are the foundations of social change that we must keep building.
Women who recognised the tactical necessity of standing and working together, lest they be destroyed individually, women who put to shame the ridiculous notion of a 'women's place. Their struggle is ours too. I acknowledge all those who have been persecuted, jailed, tortured, simply for being a woman. Especially those who are among the most vulnerable in this present moment of time - the refugees.
Let us also celebrate the powerful women who've fought dictatorship, risked their lives to fight climate change and led mass movements for justice across the world. Let's ,celebrate the strength, courage, and achievements of women everywhere and not let their contributions go unnoticed today and every day.
I'm so shattered for the families in Iran, in Lebanon, in Gaza, the Congo, Sudan, the Ukraine, and yes, the USA. It's a horrifying thing to watch the worst of men take out their rage and insecurity on the world.
Let us also celebrate the powerful women who've fought dictatorship, risked their lives to fight climate change and led mass movements for justice across the world. Let's ,celebrate the strength, courage, and achievements of women everywhere and not let their contributions go unnoticed today and every day.
I'm so shattered for the families in Iran, in Lebanon, in Gaza, the Congo, Sudan, the Ukraine, and yes, the USA. It's a horrifying thing to watch the worst of men take out their rage and insecurity on the world.
Women are the quiet pillars of humanity. They carry life, nurture hope, and stand firm even when the world tries to break them. Through history, women have endured unimaginable trials, wars, oppression, displacement, and injustice, yet they continue to rise with dignity, resilience, and compassion.
Today, my thoughts go especially to the brave women of Palestine, and particularly to the women of Gaza. Mothers who hold their children close through nights filled with fear. Sisters who refuse to let despair silence their voices. Daughters who grow up surrounded by hardship yet still dream of a future filled with freedom and peace. Their courage is not loud or celebrated enough, but it is extraordinary. Every day they show the world what true resilience looks like.
Don't forget how much they have suffered and endured. Don't forget the fear, hunger, cold, and sorrow they have lived through. These women carry the weight of loss, the pain of separation, and the uncertainty of tomorrow, yet they continue to care for their families, protect their communities, and preserve their culture and identity. In the midst of devastation, their resilience shines through: organizing aid, comforting the grieving, and defying despair with every breath..
We must also honor the countless women around the world who stand in solidarity with Palestine. Women who raise their voices, who march, who speak truth when silence would be easier. Women who refuse to accept injustice and who believe deeply in the dignity and rights of every human being. Their support, courage, and compassion remind us that humanity is still alive.
Behind every struggle for justice, there are women who sacrifice quietly. Women who endure sleepless nights, tears, and fears so that the next generation might one day live in peace.Their sacrifices may not always be seen, but they shape the future of our world. To every woman who resists oppression, who nurtures love in times of darkness, who stands up for justice even when the cost is high, today we honor you.
Despite strides made by the international women’s rights movement – and union campaigns for women’s rights – over many years, protests will be staged across the world today against injustice, abuse, discrimination, violence and harassment targeted at women and girls,calling for gender equality, an end to gender-based violence and occupational segregation.The fight for real equality continues.
Authoritarian practices are accelerating across the world, and women’s rights are among the first to be targeted - and the hardest hit. his is not a coincidence or an unintended consequence of political change. It is a deliberate strategy.
The authoritarian way to enforce that control is by regulating women’s lives and the lives of those who don’t conform to rigid gender norms. By restricting participation in public life, policing behaviour and expression, and punishing dissent, authorities send a message about who belongs and who is expected to remain silent.
Attacks on women reach far beyond individual lives.When women are targeted, communities lose leaders and advocates, civic spaces shrink and human rights protections weaken. History has also shown us that when control over gender is allowed to take root, broader repression soon follows.
And yet, in the face of these attacks, women continue to resist. They lead movements, organize protests, document abuses, support their communities, and refuse to accept the erosion of their rights. This resistance is not symbolic. It is essential to the defense of human rights, and often it comes at a great personal risk.
Today on International Women’s Day remember the day was born from the struggle of revolutionary socialist women like Clara Zetkin: fighting for bread, peace, and the dignity of the working class. It is a day for radical solidarity.
On International Women’s Day, let's reaffirm that the struggle for gender justice is inseparable from the struggle against colonialism, racism, and systems of domination. Solidarity to .the women of of the world, to my sisters nearer home and to all the comrades who are still fiercely opting to break every chain.
To every woman chasing dreams, breaking barriers, lifting others, rising above challenges, and inspiring change…you are seen, loved, and appreciated. Keep shining and keep rising in 2026 and beyond. Heddwch/Peace.
https://teifidancer-teifidancer.blogspot.com/2019/03/the-socialist-roots-of-international.html
