International Women's Day

International Women's Day History

International Women’s Day seeks to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of women throughout the world. This day aims to promote women’s equality by showing appreciation for women and by encouraging support for repressed women. Many organizations such as the United Nations use this day to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of ordinary women.

International Women's Day was initially promoted by the Socialist Party of America. In 1909, this day was declared in remembrance of a major strike by the International Ladies’ Garment Workers Union. This holiday is now recognized internationally and is an official national holiday for many countries. It is observed annually on March 8th.

Top 9 Facts for International Women's Day in 2026

• The official campaign theme for the 2026 observance is Give To Gain, a call to action that encourages global communities to foster gender equality through the reciprocal sharing of resources, mentorship, and support.
• The United Nations has designated its own parallel theme as Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls, focusing on dismantling structural barriers such as discriminatory laws and weak legal protections that currently leave women with only 64 percent of the legal rights held by men worldwide.
• International Women's Day 2026 marks the 115th anniversary of the first official gathering in 1911, highlighting over a century of organized advocacy for female suffrage and labor rights.
• In a major public art initiative, five women artists will take over high-traffic digital billboards across London, including sites at Kings Cross and Tower Bridge, through a collaboration between Creative Flair and Women in Art to shift cultural narratives in outdoor spaces.
• The observance precedes the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, which will convene from March 9 to 19 to conduct a critical 30-year review of the landmark Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
• Interdisciplinary artist Chaco Kato will debut an ephemeral public installation titled White Nest No. 6 in Melbourne, utilizing repurposed yarns and bamboo to explore the intersection of domestic labor and community resilience.
• High-profile literary releases scheduled around the date include the memoir Good Woman: A Reckoning by Savala Nolan and the historical novel The Woman and Her Stars by Penny Haw, which dramatizes the life of pioneering astronomer Caroline Herschel.
• Global humanitarian efforts will be highlighted through the Post Your Pad campaign, an initiative by World Vision aimed at raising awareness and funding to combat period poverty and support girls' education.
• Current data indicates that at the present rate of progress, it will take an estimated 286 years to fully close the legal protection gaps for women globally, a statistic serving as a central rallying point for activists this year.

In the News and Trending in the US for International Women's Day

Top things to do in the US for International Women's Day

• Attend one of many popular Women’s day events including: WeCon Women's Empowerment Conference (Austin, TX), Women of the World Festival (UK), and The Empowerment Bridge (NYC).
• If you’re a man, show appreciation by performing a chore for your special lady that is typically done by her. This may include cooking, cleaning, child care or anything that the special woman in your life does.
• Organize a sporting event for women. Numerous studies have shown many benefits for women that play sports. A recent study by the EY Women Athletes Business Network even found that women that play sports were more likely to excel in business.
• If you're a woman, try learning a task that is typically done by men. Such a chore may be: changing the oil on your car, computer programming, mowing the lawn, painting, and any home improvement project.
• Watch a movie that portrays strong empowered women. Here are our suggestions Bend It Like Beckham (2002), Elizabeth (1998), Erin Brockovich (2000), The Help (2011), A League of Their Own (1992), Mulan (1998), My Fair Lady (1964), Norma Rae (1979), Volver (2006).