The origins of International Women’s Day (IWD) are deeply rooted in activism, solidarity, and the ongoing fight for gender equality. While it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact moment it began, many trace its beginnings to 1908 , when 15,000 women marched through the streets of New York City . These courageous women demanded better pay, shorter working hours, and the right to vote—basic rights that would become the foundation of a global movement.

Inspired by this growing momentum, the United States celebrated its first National Women’s Day on February 28, 1909 . The idea of expanding this recognition globally came just one year later, in 1910 , when Clara Zetkin , a prominent advocate for women’s rights and the leader of the "Women's Office" for Germany’s Social Democratic Party, proposed the concept of an International Women’s Day. She suggested that women in every country should unite to celebrate a day that would draw attention to their struggles, promote solidarity, and advocate for change.

Clara’s powerful idea was presented at the International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen, which was attended by over 100 women from 17 countries , including the first three women elected to the Finnish parliament. The proposal was met with unanimous approval, and thus, International Women’s Day was officially born . The very first IWD was celebrated on March 19, 1911 , in countries such as Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland, with more than a million women and men rallying in support.

A few years later, in 1913 , the date of IWD was changed to March 8 , which has remained the official date ever since. However, it took until 1975 —during the United Nations’ International Women’s Year—for IWD to be formally recognised by the United Nations . From that point on, the UN began selecting a unique theme each year , focusing on different aspects of gender equality, women's rights, and global empowerment.

Today, International Women’s Day is celebrated worldwide , serving as both a celebration of women’s achievements and a call to action for accelerating gender parity. From its humble beginnings in early 20th-century protests to its status as a globally recognised day of advocacy and inspiration, IWD continues to remind us of the power of collective voices and the ongoing journey toward equality for all.

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While it’s important to celebrate the significant progress we’ve made in advancing gender equality around the world—from greater representation in politics and the workplace to improved access to education and healthcare for women and girls—we must also acknowledge that we are still far from achieving true equality .

There remains a substantial gap across many areas of life, including pay, leadership, safety, legal rights, and access to opportunities. Progress is not equal across countries, communities, or cultures, and for many women—especially those from marginalised or underrepresented groups—daily life continues to be shaped by discrimination, inequality, and systemic barriers.

We cannot afford to become complacent. While it’s essential to celebrate the victories, we must also keep the momentum going and continue working toward a more just, inclusive, and balanced world.

Here are just five of the many reasons why we still need to support and uplift International Women’s Day (IWD) :

1. The Gender Pay Gap Still Exists
   In nearly every country, women earn less than men for the same work. The global gender pay gap is estimated at around 20%, and in some industries or countries, that gap is even wider. Equal work deserves equal pay—and we're not there yet.

2. Women Are Underrepresented in Leadership Roles
   Whether in politics, business, science, or media, women are still vastly underrepresented in leadership positions. True gender equality won’t be achieved until women have equal voices in decision-making spaces, from boardrooms to parliaments.

3. Violence Against Women Remains a Global Crisis
   Every day, millions of women face gender-based violence—at home, at work, online, and in public. From domestic abuse to human trafficking, this ongoing crisis requires urgent attention, education, policy change, and support systems to protect those affected.

4. Access to Education and Healthcare Is Unequal
   In many parts of the world, girls still face barriers to receiving a quality education or accessing basic healthcare. Supporting IWD helps spotlight these global inequalities and push for change that empowers women and girls through knowledge and wellbeing.

5. Gender Stereotypes and Cultural Biases Still Persist
   Outdated gender roles, unconscious bias, and social expectations continue to hold women back in many areas of life. From unequal household responsibilities to discrimination in the workplace, we must challenge and change the narratives that limit women’s potential.

The gender pay gap continues to be one of the most persistent and visible examples of inequality in the world today. While many people assume that this issue is limited to developing nations or outdated systems, the reality is that even in some of the world’s most developed and economically advanced countries—like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia—there is still a significant disparity between what men and women earn for the same work, at the same level, with similar qualifications and experience.

Despite decades of activism, policy reform, and growing awareness, the wage gap remains deeply embedded in workplace culture and systems. In many industries, women are not only paid less but are also less likely to be promoted to senior roles, receive bonuses, or have access to the same professional development opportunities as their male counterparts. This issue is further compounded for women of colour, women with disabilities, and women from marginalised communities, who often face even larger pay gaps.

While some reports present a cautiously “optimistic” view—suggesting that the gap is slowly narrowing—those same studies also reveal a sobering truth: at the current rate of progress, it could take more than 100 years to fully close the gender pay gap on a global scale . That means generations of women and girls will continue to face unequal compensation for their contributions, simply because of their gender.

This pay inequality doesn't just affect individual women—it ripples across families, communities, and economies. When women are paid less, it limits their financial independence, reduces lifetime earnings and retirement savings, and contributes to broader patterns of poverty and economic insecurity. It also sends a powerful and harmful message: that the work and contributions of women are less valuable.

Achieving pay equity requires more than just good intentions. It demands transparent salary practices, inclusive hiring and promotion policies, support for working parents and caregivers, and continued pressure on institutions to hold themselves accountable .

Until we reach a point where women and men are paid equally for equal work in every part of the world, the gender pay gap will remain one of the most urgent reasons why we must continue to advocate for gender equality—and why International Women’s Day remains as relevant and necessary as ever.

Across the globe, access to education remains one of the most critical—and unequal—barriers to achieving true gender equality. While there has been meaningful progress in recent years, millions of girls are still being denied the basic right to learn , simply because of their gender. In many regions, particularly in low-income and rural communities, there is still a noticeably smaller percentage of girls receiving education compared to boys .

One of the key contributing factors to this imbalance lies within deeply rooted cultural and societal norms. In many households, especially where resources are limited, families are more likely to invest in the education of their sons over their daughters . The belief that boys are more likely to become future breadwinners, or that girls will marry early and leave their family homes, leads to girls being pulled out of school—or never enrolled in the first place.

This decision, while often made under economic or traditional pressures, has long-term consequences. When girls are excluded from education, their opportunities for independence, self-development, and future employment are severely limited . It not only curbs their personal ambitions and potential but also reinforces cycles of poverty and gender inequality across entire communities.

The lack of access to education also puts girls at higher risk of early marriage, domestic violence, and exploitation. In contrast, when girls are given equal opportunities to learn, the benefits ripple outward—they marry later, earn more, lead healthier lives, and contribute more significantly to their families, societies, and economies.

It’s important to note that this disparity doesn’t only exist in developing nations. Even in wealthier countries, girls often face subtle yet powerful barriers to education —such as gender bias in classrooms, lack of encouragement in male-dominated fields like science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), and limited access to leadership opportunities within academic settings.

To create real change, we must prioritise girls' education on a global scale , ensuring equal access to quality schooling, safe learning environments, and supportive policies that empower young women to pursue their goals without restriction. Educating girls isn’t just a human rights issue—it’s an investment in a brighter, more inclusive future for everyone.

Until every girl has the same educational opportunities as every boy, International Women’s Day remains a vital platform for raising awareness, demanding change, and inspiring action toward closing the global education gap.

In recent years, global movements such as #MeToo and #TimesUp have played a powerful role in bringing conversations about gender-based violence, sexual harassment, and abuse into the public eye. These campaigns have helped to break the silence for millions of women around the world, giving them the courage, support, and platform to speak out about their experiences. For many, these movements have marked a cultural shift—highlighting just how widespread abuse and mistreatment of women is across every industry, age group, and background.

While these awareness campaigns have been instrumental in starting the conversation and pushing for change, the unfortunate reality is that violence against women and girls is still far from being eradicated . In fact, it remains one of the most widespread and devastating human rights violations in the world. Despite greater awareness, legislative reforms, and growing social support for survivors, millions of women across the globe continue to live with the threat—or reality—of violence every day .

In many countries and communities, gender-based violence is still deeply normalised and accepted , often viewed as a private issue rather than a public crime. Harmful traditions, patriarchal beliefs, lack of education, and weak legal systems allow these abuses to go unchecked. In some cultures, domestic violence is still seen as a ‘family matter’, while in others, women and girls are subjected to harmful practices such as child marriage, female genital mutilation, and honour-based violence—all of which are rooted in deep-seated gender inequality.

What’s even more concerning is that victims are often silenced, blamed, or shamed for the violence they endure. Many lack access to safe spaces, legal protection, or the social support needed to speak out or seek help. In some countries, laws are still written in ways that fail to protect women or even criminalise them for defending themselves. This dangerous silence allows abuse to continue and reinforces the perception that violence against women is somehow acceptable or unavoidable.

Even in more progressive societies, sexual harassment in the workplace, domestic abuse, online abuse, and stalking remain pervasive issues , often underreported and mishandled. And while conversations have become more open in public forums, they still need to translate into consistent, meaningful action at every level of society.

That’s why International Women’s Day is so important—not just as a celebration, but as a platform for advocacy and accountability . It reminds us that while progress has been made, we cannot pause until every woman, everywhere, can live free from violence, fear, and silence. Raising awareness is only the first step. We must continue to fight for stronger protections, survivor support, education, and a cultural shift that sees all violence against women as unacceptable—not just in words, but in action.

Despite the increased awareness brought about by global campaigns, education efforts, and survivor-led movements, the victim-blaming narrative surrounding sexual assault sadly remains alive and well , particularly in online spaces. Every time a story of sexual assault or harassment surfaces in the media or on social platforms, we still see countless comments questioning or criticizing the woman involved —comments that focus on what she was wearing, how she was behaving, what time of night it was, whether she was drinking, or if she “led someone on.”

Statements like “Maybe her skirt was too short,” or “She was asking for it,” are not just outdated—they’re deeply harmful, offensive, and completely wrong. These attitudes shift the responsibility away from the perpetrator and place it on the victim , suggesting that her choices somehow justified or invited the abuse. This not only retraumatises survivors but also discourages others from coming forward out of fear that they, too, will be blamed instead of believed.

Let’s be clear: the blame for sexual assault lies solely with the perpetrator. There is no outfit, no amount of flirting, no circumstance, and no behaviour that ever gives someone the right to violate another person’s body, space, or consent. Suggesting otherwise fuels the dangerous belief that women must constantly modify their behaviour to stay safe, instead of holding those who commit violence accountable for their actions.

What’s most disheartening is that this culture of blame isn't confined to one country, age group, or platform—it’s everywhere , and it reflects how deeply rooted misogyny and gender bias still are in our societies. Despite decades of advocacy, women and girls are still forced to defend their right to safety, freedom, and autonomy. They’re still questioned, doubted, and scrutinised more harshly than the people who harm them.

So how is this still happening? Because we haven’t fully dismantled the systems, mindsets, and social norms that allow it to happen. Education around consent, respect, and gender equality must start earlier and go deeper. Media outlets must take responsibility for how they frame stories. Online platforms need stronger policies to tackle harmful rhetoric. And as individuals, we must all be willing to challenge and call out victim-blaming when we see it.

International Women’s Day is a crucial moment to remind the world that survivors deserve to be heard, believed, and supported—not blamed. It’s a time to reaffirm that sexual violence is never the fault of the victim and that real change requires rejecting these harmful narratives, standing up for justice, and creating a culture where consent, respect, and equality are non-negotiable.

Despite the incredible strides made toward gender equality, persistent and often ridiculous stereotypes about what it means to be a woman continue to shape society’s expectations and limit women’s opportunities . These stereotypes are deeply ingrained in culture, media, education, and even everyday conversations, and they unfairly box women into narrowly defined roles and behaviours—dictating what is considered “acceptable” or “appropriate” for their gender.

Many people still cling to the outdated belief that women should be girly—which often translates to being delicate, sweet, and lighthearted—rather than strong, assertive, or ambitious. There’s an unspoken rule that women should be “fun” and “silly” but not too serious or driven, reinforcing the idea that emotional expression is their primary role rather than intellectual or professional achievement.

These stereotypes also extend into the realm of hobbies and interests. For example, women are encouraged to participate in traditionally “feminine” activities like yoga, dance, or Pilates, but sports perceived as aggressive, tough, or masculine—like boxing, weightlifting, or football—are often discouraged or dismissed as unfeminine . This narrow view restricts women from exploring their full potential and enjoying activities that might suit their personalities or talents better.

When it comes to career choices and professional aspirations, these stereotypes can be even more damaging. Society often envisions women in nurturing roles— sexy nurses, teachers, or assistants—but struggles to imagine them as leaders, scientists, engineers, or CEOs . Women who pursue careers in male-dominated fields like engineering, computer science, or construction are often met with surprise, skepticism, or outright resistance. The message is clear: women can be educated but only “up to a point.” Ambition beyond traditionally female roles is sometimes seen as threatening or unnatural.

The media, advertising, and popular culture play a huge role in reinforcing these stereotypes by constantly bombarding us with images of women who fit specific beauty standards or roles—often emphasizing appearance over intelligence, nurturing over leadership, and softness over strength. These narrow portrayals create pressure for women to conform to limited ideals rather than embrace the full diversity of their talents, personalities, and dreams.

These stereotypes are not just harmless clichés—they have real, tangible consequences. They influence how women are treated at school, in the workplace, and in their communities. They limit career opportunities, affect self-esteem, and even impact mental health by forcing women to fit into boxes that don’t reflect who they truly are.

Breaking down these stereotypes is essential for achieving genuine equality. We need to encourage girls and women to be exactly who they want to be—whether that means being silly or serious, delicate or tough, nurturing or fiercely ambitious. Women should be able to choose any career, any hobby, and any way of expressing themselves without judgment, limitation, or expectation based on outdated gender norms .

As conversations about gender evolve and grow, it’s crucial to continue challenging these stereotypes whenever and wherever they appear—because true equality means allowing everyone the freedom to define themselves on their own terms, not by society’s narrow expectations.

Because there are still so many reasons why celebrating International Women’s Day (IWD) remains crucial, it’s important that we all find ways to get involved and make a positive impact—no matter how big or small. To help you participate meaningfully in this global movement, we’ve put together a few simple but powerful ways you can show your support, raise awareness, and contribute to advancing gender equality.

First and foremost, consider submitting a ‘Pledge for Parity.’ This is a fantastic opportunity to publicly commit yourself, your organisation, or your community to promoting gender balance and equality. By visiting the official International Women’s Day website (which you can access by clicking HERE! ), you can easily follow the prompts to make your pledge. Whether you choose to support women’s ambitions, advocate for more gender-balanced leadership roles, or work towards creating more flexible, inclusive workplace cultures, your pledge is a statement of solidarity that helps drive real change. The collective power of these pledges amplifies the message that equality isn’t just an ideal—it’s a goal we’re all responsible for achieving.

Another great way to get involved is by participating in an event. International Women’s Day is celebrated worldwide through thousands of gatherings, workshops, rallies, panels, and celebrations—all designed to inspire, educate, and motivate people to support women’s rights. These events provide valuable opportunities to learn more about gender equality issues, hear from inspiring speakers, connect with like-minded individuals, and contribute to the momentum for change. Whether you attend a local community event, join a virtual panel discussion, or participate in a march, being part of these celebrations helps keep the conversation alive and shows your commitment to the cause.

If you want to find official events happening near you—or online—head over to the IWD website, where a comprehensive list of registered events is regularly updated. From intimate workshops to large-scale rallies, there’s something for everyone to get involved in, no matter your location or interests.

In addition to these actions, there are countless other ways to participate : you can share stories and educational content on your social media channels to raise awareness; support women-owned businesses and organisations; volunteer with charities focused on women’s rights; or simply have conversations with friends, family, and colleagues about why gender equality matters. Every action, when added together, helps build a stronger, more equal world.

By actively engaging with International Women’s Day, you become part of a global community committed to creating meaningful progress. Whether you make a pledge, attend an event, or spread the word, your involvement sends a powerful message—that the journey toward equality is ongoing, and every voice counts.

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The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) has proudly been the charity of choice for the International Women’s Day (IWD) website for many years, reflecting their shared commitment to empowering girls and young women around the world. WAGGGS is truly a global powerhouse, representing over 10 million girls and young women across 150 countries, making it the largest international organisation dedicated solely to the development and support of girls worldwide.

As the overarching global umbrella organisation for Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, WAGGGS plays a vital role in providing girls and young women with unique opportunities to develop their leadership skills, find their voices, and advocate for the issues that matter most to them . Through their involvement, members are empowered to become confident changemakers who can actively shape and improve their communities, societies, and countries.

WAGGGS’ mission goes beyond just leadership development—they are deeply committed to promoting gender equality and challenging the social norms that hold girls and women back . They work tirelessly to address critical issues that affect young women globally, including combating gender-based violence, supporting girls in overcoming body confidence and self-esteem challenges, and ensuring they have a powerful global platform to influence policymakers and decision-makers at the highest levels.

By standing alongside International Women’s Day, WAGGGS amplifies the call for equality and opportunity for all girls and young women, encouraging them to realize their full potential and live free from discrimination and violence. Their work is a beacon of hope and progress for millions around the world, fostering a future where gender equality is not just an aspiration but a lived reality.

If you want to support this inspiring organisation or learn more about their impactful work, you can donate or find additional information by clicking HERE! Every contribution helps WAGGGS continue to nurture the next generation of female leaders and advocates, creating positive change that echoes across the globe.