Every year, March 8 marks International Women’s Day (IWD), a worldwide observance to honor women’s achievements and demand further progress toward gender equality.
In 2025, the global theme for IWD is “Accelerate Action,” calling for faster action to address the persistent challenges women face across the globe. This day has evolved into a major occasion for activism, uniting women—and allies—around the world to demand equal pay, access to health care, reproductive rights, and justice for gender-based violence.
From protests in Mexico City to rallies in Tokyo, women will unite on March 8 to assert their rights and push for change. But the fight for equality goes beyond celebration—it is a day of powerful protests, advocacy, and reflection on how much more needs to be done. Let’s dive into the history, current struggles, and significance of International Women’s Day.
The story of International Women’s Day dates back more than 100 years, with its origins deeply tied to the women's suffrage and labor movements. IWD was first celebrated on March 8, 1911, after a call by women’s rights activists to stand up for suffrage and equal rights.
While IWD as we know it started in the early 20th century, the fight for women’s rights dates back much further. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, a pivotal figure in early women’s rights, organized the first Women’s Rights Convention in 1848 in New York, advocating for women to gain legal rights, including the right to vote.
The suffrage movements and women's activism grew over the years. In 1917, women in Russia led a massive protest on February 23 (which corresponds to March 8 in the Western calendar) demanding bread and peace, triggering a broader movement that contributed to the Russian Revolution. This event solidified March 8 as a symbolic day for women’s activism worldwide.
In the modern context, March 8 is more than just a day of celebration—it’s a call to action. It serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggles for gender equality, access to education, healthcare, reproductive rights, and justice. Though significant progress has been made, much work remains.
Recent UN data shows that one in four countries experienced a backlash against women's rights in the past year. Political environments in many nations are shifting, with many activists concerned that hard-won gains in women's rights could be rolled back. The U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which removed federal protections for abortion, marked a major setback in the global fight for reproductive rights, triggering protests across the world.
In Mexico, women have led some of the most visible protests, with the country’s femicide crisis and ongoing violence against women demanding urgent attention. Latin America, in particular, has seen a rise in feminist marches, where women demand justice for victims and changes in laws to combat violence.
Globally, women observe International Women’s Day in diverse ways. In some countries, such as China, Russia, and Uganda, IWD is a public holiday. However, in many regions, the day is marked by activism, protests, and rallies. These demonstrations are critical in raising awareness about the issues that still affect women—whether it’s the fight for equal pay, justice for gender-based violence, or access to healthcare.
In Turkey, Mexico, and Eastern Europe, women’s protests have been met with resistance, sometimes even violent crackdowns. For example, in Turkey, a 2023 Women’s Day march in Istanbul was banned by the government, leading to clashes with the police. Despite such challenges, women continue to push for their rights, reminding the world that International Women’s Day is about much more than flowers and chocolates—it’s about demanding systemic change.
Celebrating the achievements of strong women who are breaking through glass ceilings is crucial in addressing gender imbalance. By highlighting these role models, we can inspire the next generation of women to pursue leadership positions.
Research from New York University’s Cognitive Development Lab has shown that seeing women in leadership roles can significantly impact girls' ambitions. Exposure to female leaders helps challenge the idea that such roles are not for women, encouraging girls to aspire to leadership positions.
From politics to science and entertainment, here are some of the world’s most influential female role models to watch in 2025.
Nazanin Boniadi, the Iranian-British actress, has emerged as a vocal critic of women’s oppression in Iran, dedicating her role in Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power to Iranian women. She’s also been involved in supporting the Women, Life, Freedom movement, which gained momentum following the tragic death of Mahsa Amini in 2022.
Olena Zelenska, the First Lady of Ukraine, has been a key figure in advocating for humanitarian aid and justice for the victims of Russia’s ongoing aggression. Her charity, launched in 2022, provides essential resources to help children and families impacted by the war, offering a glimpse into the resilience of Ukrainian women and children in the face of conflict.
Oleksandra Matviichuk, a Ukrainian human rights lawyer, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her tireless work in documenting and challenging war crimes committed by Russian forces. She continues to call for international justice and a special tribunal to prosecute those responsible for the invasion of Ukraine.
These women, and countless others, are breaking barriers and pushing for tangible change across a variety of sectors—political, legal, humanitarian, and business.
As we look ahead to International Women’s Day 2025, the need for global action is more urgent than ever. While significant progress has been made in securing basic rights for women, the global fight for gender equality remains far from over. Issues like gender-based violence, the fight for equal pay, and reproductive rights continue to impact millions of women across the world.
Moreover, the increasing influence of far-right nationalism and repressive political environments in several countries adds a layer of urgency to the movement. Women’s rights activists worldwide are concerned that the global push for gender equality could face new challenges in the coming years.
