When is International Women's Day?
International Women's Day is celebrated on March 8th.
27 countries (mainly former Soviet republics) have adopted International Women's Day as a national holiday, and it is widely observed in several others.
For most of the countries who observe this holiday, if it falls on a weekend, it will be moved to the following Monday. If it falls on a Tuesday or Thursday, several countries will bridge the holiday to the weekend by declaring an additional public holiday on the Monday or Friday - though often this is compensated for by making a Saturday a working day.
In China since 2014, women are entitled to a half-day holiday for Women's Day. In Madagascar and Nepal, the day is also an official women-only holiday.
History of International Women's Day
International Women's Day was first established at the 1910 International Socialist Women's Conference in Copenhagen. German women's rights activist and Marxist theorist Clara Zetkin was the one who tabled the idea.
Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Denmark celebrated the holiday for the first time on March 19th 1911, with the Soviet Union the first to make it a public holiday in 1917. The date of 8th March was adopted internationally in 1921.
In 1977, the United Nations declared 8th March as International Women's Day, a day each year when the world should celebrate, recognize and remember women and the accomplishments they have made to society. Each year has a theme:
- The theme of International Women’s Day 2024 is Inspire Inclusion. When we inspire others to understand and value women’s inclusion, we forge a better world. And when women themselves are inspired to be included, there’s a sense of belonging, relevance and empowerment. The aim of the IWD 2024 #InspireInclusion campaign is to collectively forge a more inclusive world for women.
- 2023: EmbraceEquity
- 2022: #BreakTheBias.
- 2021: Choose To Challenge
- 2020: An equal world is an enabled world..
- 2019: #BalanceforBetter; a call-to-action for driving gender balance across the world.
- 2018: #PressforProgress
Full list of International Women's Day Themes
It is often said that the date chosen for International Women's Day marks a mass protest that took place in New York on March 8th 1857, when women from sewing and shoe factories demonstrated for the same rights as men. Men had recently won a 10-hour workday, but women had been overlooked in the legislation and left on a 16-hour workday. As as a result, 8th March became a traditional day for regular demonstrations in the US and Europe.
However, recent reports have cast doubt on whether this event ever took place, with newspapers of the time not reporting any such march. Nevertheless, the protests are the reason that the United States celebrates National Women's History Month in March.
Given how the holiday began in Russia, a more plausible source for the date is 1917 when Russian women marched to protest for 'Bread and Peace' on the last Sunday in February (which was March 8th in the Gregorian calendar in use in the rest of Europe). This march contributed to the Czar abdicating four days later and the new government granted women the right to vote. It would be three years later before women in the US had the same rights.
What are the colours of International Women’s Day?
The official colours of International Women’s Day are purple, green and white. These originated from the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) in the UK back in 1908, according to the International Women's Day website. "Purple signifies justice and dignity. Green symbolizes hope. White represents purity, albeit a controversial concept,” it states.
International Women's Day Quiz
Test your knowledge of International Women's Day and the inspiring women who have shaped history. Discover new facts about the incredible achievements of women around the world. From trailblazing aviators to pioneering performers, this quiz is sure to inspire and educate. So grab a cup of coffee and take a break from your day with our International Women's Day quiz!
Other Women's Days
The following countries observe a Woman's Day as a public holiday, but don't follow the March 8th date:
Gabon
On April 17th, this holiday marks the appointment of the first female to the Government in Gabon.
Mozambique
On April 7th, Mozambique marks the anniversary of Josina Machel's death in 1971. Josina was a key figure in the struggle for the emancipation of African women.
South Africa
The holiday commemorates the national march of women on August 9th 1956 to petition against legislation that required African persons to carry the pass
Tunisia
This day commemorates the promulgation of a series of women's rights that were established within the Code of Personal Status on August 13th 1956.
