International Women’s Day 2025: The Significance of Celebrating Women’s Day on March 8

The significance of March 8 is deeply rooted in Russian history.

International Women’s Day (IWD) takes place every year on March 8. This occasion is focused on honoring the accomplishments of women and promoting gender equality. The theme for International Women’s Day 2025 is “Accelerate Action,” highlighting the urgent need for rapid advancements in securing equal rights and opportunities for women around the world.

 The United Nations formally recognized March 8th as International Women’s Day in 1977, after having first celebrated the occasion in 1975; however, the roots of this day extend back further than these years.

The United Nations indicates that the inaugural National Women’s Day was celebrated in the United States on February 28, 1909. This day was established by the Socialist Party of America to commemorate the garment workers’ strike in New York in 1908, during which women advocated against inadequate working conditions.

As reported by the International Women’s Day (IWD) website, approximately 15,000 women participated in the march, demanding shorter working hours, improved wages, and the right to vote.

The protest in New York in 1908 represented a significant event in the ongoing struggle for women’s rights. The First Wave of Feminism, which spanned from the mid-19th century to the 1920s, was characterized by efforts advocating for voting rights, equal pay, and gender equality throughout Western societies.

In 1848, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott took the initiative to organize the inaugural women’s rights convention in New York, following their exclusion from an anti-slavery convention. Mott was a well-known abolitionist, and Stanton emerged as a key figure in the feminist movement.

 The Origin of International Women’s Day

In 1910, the Second International Conference of Working Women took place in Copenhagen. Clara Zetkin, a German socialist and head of the Women’s Office in the Social Democratic Party, put forth the idea of an International Women’s Day—an occasion to honor women’s calls for equal rights on a global scale.

This proposal gained traction, with more than 100 women from 17 nations participating in the conference. By 1911, over a million individuals joined IWD demonstrations throughout Europe, advocating for the right to work, vote, receive education, hold public office, and eliminate discrimination.

Zetkin, recognized for her revolutionary efforts, firmly believed that the workers’ movement was essential for achieving women’s rights.

Why March 8?

The significance of March 8 is deeply rooted in Russian history. On February 23, 1913, women in Russia staged protests against World War I, which, according to the Julian calendar, fell on March 8 in the Gregorian calendar used in most of the world. This event set a precedent for Women’s Day demonstrations globally.

Another pivotal protest took place on February 23, 1917, when Russian women called for an end to the war, food scarcity, and the oppressive regime of Czar Nicholas II. Historian Rochelle Ruthchild noted that male revolutionaries, including Leon Trotsky, were initially annoyed by these “disobedient women” for organizing protests ahead of the scheduled May Day celebrations.

Nonetheless, these protests were instrumental in igniting the Russian Revolution. Within a short time, the Czar was deposed, a communist government was established, and women in Russia gained the right to vote. In the United States, white women achieved suffrage in 1920, while women of color only obtained voting rights following the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

In 2011, the Barack Obama administration declared March as Women’s History Month, commemorating a century old practice  of International Women’s Day.

International Women’s Day 2025 Importance

International Women’s Day 2025 will be observed on March 8th and carries significant weight around the world. Here are key aspects of its importance:

The theme for 2025 is “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment” or “Accelerate Action,” emphasizing the urgency of advancing gender equality.

It recognizes the accomplishments of women across diverse sectors and advocates for gender equality.

This day is a true celebration of women’s contributions to society, the economy, culture, and politics.

Additionally, this year commemorates the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.