International Women’s Day 2025 #AccelerateAction is a global celebration dedicated to honoring women’s achievements and advocating for gender equality. Observed on March 8th, this day highlights key issues such as equal pay, women’s empowerment, and ending gender-based violence.
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The theme for International Women’s Day 2025 #AccelerateAction aims to inspire collective action towards a more inclusive and equitable world. Events, discussions, and campaigns worldwide will emphasize the importance of women’s contributions in various fields, from leadership to innovation. As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, it is crucial to continue striving for a future where every woman has the opportunity to thrive. This article gives information on International Women’s Day 2025.
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Table of Contents
When is International Women’s Day 2025?
The International Women’s Day 2025 will be celebrated on March 8, 2025. In fact the International Women’s Day 2025 is celebrated on March 8 every year.
Why do we celebrate International Women’s Day?
We celebrate the International Women’s Day every year to honor the accomplishments, contributions, and hardships of women worldwide. The celebrations honors the social, political, cultural, and economic contributions made by women around the world while acting as a potent reminder of the continuous struggle for gender equality.
What is the Historical Background of International Women’s Day?
Origins in the Labor Movement: The origins of International Women’s Day can be found in 1908, when about 15,000 women working in textile factories in New York City, United States of America (USA), marched for better pay, shorter working hours, and right to vote.
A year later, on February 28, 1909, the Socialist Party of America organized the first National Women’s Day in USA.
The 1910 Copenhagen Conference: The concept of an International Women’s Day was first put forth by German socialist Clara Zetkin in 1910 during the International Socialist Women’s Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark. The foundation for an annual observance was laid when more than 100 women from 17 countries unanimously approved the proposal.
First International Observance (1911): On March 19, 1911, Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland observed the first International Women’s Day. Over a million individuals took part, supporting women’s rights to employment, voting, and public office.
Why is International Women’s Day held on 8 March?
Women in Russian Revolution: On March 8, 1917, during the Russian Revolution, women working in textile industry in Petrograd (St. Petersburg), Russia, went on strike to protest World War I, food shortages, and poor living conditions. They demanded ‘bread and peace’. Four days into the strike, the tsar was forced to abdicate, and the provisional government granted women the right to vote.
According to the Julian calendar which was then in use in Russia, the women’s strike began on 23 February. And as per Gregorian calendar (current English calendar) this date was March 8.
Soviet Russia and March 8 as International Women’s Day: In 1922, Vladimir Lenin, the first head of the government of Soviet Russia, declared March 8 as International Women’s Day to honor the women’s role in 1917 Russian Revolution. Subsequently March 8 was celebrated as International Women’s Day by the socialist movement and communist countries.
March 8 Becomes Official Date of International Women’s Day: In 1977, the United Nations officially recognized March 8 as the International Women’s Day. Since then March 8 is celebrated as International Women’s Day by all countries.
What colors are associated with international women’s day?
The colors associated with International Women’s Day (IWD) are purple, green, and white.
- Purple represents justice and dignity. It is historically linked to the women’s rights movement and symbolizes loyalty to the cause.
- Green signifies hope and is often associated with growth and progress.
- White historically represented purity, though its interpretation has evolved over time.
These colors were first used by the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) in the UK in 1908 and have since become widely recognized for IWD celebrations.
Why do people wear the color purple for International Women’s Day?
As mentioned above, the color purple represents justice and dignity and is historically linked to the women’s rights movement and symbolizes loyalty to the cause. Hence, people usually wear the color purple for International Women’s Day.
Theme of International Women’s Day 2025: #AccelerateAction
The official theme for International Women’s Day 2025 is “Accelerate Action”. As per the official website of the International Women’s Day,
“Focusing on the need to Accelerate Action emphasizes the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality. It calls for increased momentum and urgency in addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face, both in personal and professional spheres.”
Official theme of International Women’s Day 2025 and in recent years
Year: Theme
2025: Accelerate Action
2024: Inspire Inclusion
2023: DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality
2022: Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow
2021: Choose to Challenge
2020: Each for Equal
Significance of International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day 2025, observed on March 8th, is a global celebration of women’s achievements and a call to action for gender equality. Its significance lies in several key areas:
1. Celebrating Women’s Achievements
- Recognizing contributions of women in science, politics, business, arts, and social activism
- Honoring female role models and inspiring future generations
- Highlighting progress made in women’s rights and empowerment
2. Raising Awareness About Gender Inequality
- Shedding light on gender pay gaps, discrimination, and workplace biases
- Addressing violence against women and advocating for stronger policies
- Encouraging equal opportunities in education, healthcare, and leadership
3. Advocating for Change and Social Reforms
- Pushing for legal reforms to protect women’s rights
- Promoting initiatives like equal pay, reproductive rights, and parental leave
- Encouraging men to be allies in the fight for gender equality
4. Encouraging Women’s Economic and Social Empowerment
- Supporting women entrepreneurs and leaders
- Promoting financial independence and career growth
- Enhancing access to education, technology, and skill development
5. Strengthening Global Solidarity
- Uniting women across different cultures, backgrounds, and professions
- Encouraging participation in marches, discussions, and awareness campaigns
- Collaborating with governments, businesses, and NGOs to drive progress
6. Inspiring the Next Generation
- Encouraging young girls to dream big and break stereotypes
- Promoting mentorship and leadership programs for women
- Creating a more inclusive and equitable society for future generations
Written By: Dr. Kumar Ashutosh
