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SatMar 8

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International Women's Day – March 8, 2025

U.S.

History
Timeline
FAQs
Importance
Celebrate
Traditions
Insights
Stats

International Women’s Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the historical, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also observed in support of taking action against gender inequality around the world. We all know the world couldn’t run without women (we mean, just listen to Beyoncé). This is the day to appreciate their efforts! Organizations large and small come together to show women just how valuable they are in today’s society. Also make sure to help women around you find resources on scholarships available for women from around the world to help them spread their wings and fly higher.

When is International Women's Day 2025?

International Women’s Day is on March 8. The achievements of women and how far they have come in the fight for their rights within the political, cultural, and social spheres are celebrated.

History of International Women's Day

Susan B. Anthony was a political activist and an advocate of women’s rights. After the Civil War, she fought for the 14th Amendment that was meant to grant all naturalized and native-born Americans citizenship in the hope that it would include suffrage rights. Although the 14th Amendment was ratified in 1868, it still didn’t secure their vote. In 1869, the National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA) was founded by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony to continue the fight for women’s rights.

In the early 1900s, women were experiencing pay inequality, a lack of voting rights, and they were being overworked. In response to all of this, 15,000 women marched through New York City in 1908 to demand their rights. In 1909, the first National Women’s Day was observed in accordance with a declaration by the Socialist Party of America. This was celebrated on the last Sunday of February until 1913.

An International Women’s Conference was organized in August 1910 by Clara Zetkin, a German suffragist and leader in the Women’s Office. Zetkin proposed a special Women’s Day to be organized annually and International Women’s Day was honored the following year in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland, with more than one million attending the rallies. On August 18, 1920, the 19th Amendment was ratified and white women were granted the right to vote in the U.S.

The liberation movement took place in the 1960s and the effort led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act, allowing all women the right to vote. When the internet became more commonplace, feminism and the fight against gender inequality experienced a resurgence. Now we celebrate International Women’s Day each year as we push continuously with the hope of creating a completely equal society.

International Women's Day timeline

1869

The NWSA Forms

The National Women’s Suffrage Association was founded by Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton to advocate for women's rights.

1911

A Day for Women

Clara Zetkin proposes a Women's Day celebration, and International Women's Day is celebrated annually from this point forth.

1965

All Women Can Vote

The women’s liberation movement fights for politics, work, the family, and sexuality and all women are given the right to vote.

2000s

New Age Feminism

With the age of the internet rising, the message of feminism becomes unified with a focused direction.

International Women's Day Media Coverage

The View (3/8/18)

International Women's Day — KBMT (Beaumont, TX)

International Women's Day - Survey Results

Data gathered by a top Kansas City Marketing Agency

Additional Findings

2017 — THE BIGGEST ISSUES FACING AMERICAN WOMEN

#1: Unequal pay (23%)
#2: The ability to balance a career and children (22%)
#3: Sexual violence (15%)
#4: Sexual objectification (15%)
#5: Reproductive rights (11%)
#6: Underrepresentation in politics (7%)
#7: Underrepresentation in business leadership (6%)

2018 — THE BIGGEST ISSUES FACING AMERICAN WOMEN

#1: Sexual violence (38%)
#2: Sexual objectification (35%)
#3: Unequal pay (34%)
#4: The ability to balance a career and children (32%)
#5: Underrepresentation in business leadership (20%)
#6: Reproductive rights (19%)
#7: Underrepresentation in politics (16%)

2018 — PROSECUTING SEXUAL ASSAULT AND HARASSMENT CRIMINALS

America should prosecute sexual assault and harassment criminals…

#1: More often (58%)
#2: The same amount (20%)
#3: The same amount, but reach more guilt verdicts (14%)
#4: Less often (7%)

2018 — THE BEST WAY TO STOP SEXUAL ASSAULT AND HARASSMENT

#1: A stricter legal system (43%)
#2: Prosecuting more criminals (43%)
#3: Better education (42%)
#4: Eliminating rape culture in media (35%)
#5: Workplace equality (29%)

Traditions of the Day

As women come together to celebrate the advancement of gender equality and women’s rights on International Women’s Day, they receive ample support from men who give them flowers or other gifts. This tradition extends to educational institutes and workplaces as well. Inspiring female leaders and women with success stories in different areas of life are put in the spotlight to encourage and influence other women all over the world.

In Spain and Turkey, political activities and protests take place on this day. The aim is to motivate change in policymaking. In China, women are often allowed a half-day off from work and receive special treatment in general at work and home.

By the Numbers

163.2 million – the number of females in the United States as of July 2015.

24% – the percentage of women in the U.S. Senate.

29% – the percentage of women in state legislative seats.

0% – the percentage of women as presidents of the United States.

40 billion – the number of hours spent by women in sub-Saharan Africa collecting water.

⅔ – of the world’s 796 million illiterate people are women.

1 in 3 – women around the world experience violence.

2.7 billion – the number of women who don’t have the same work opportunities as men.

82 million – the number of women worldwide who don’t have any legal protections against workplace discrimination.

650 million – the number of women who are married before the age of 18 across the world.

International Women's Day FAQs

Is International Women’s Day an official holiday?

International Women’s Day is an official holiday in dozens of countries.

Is International Women’s Day always on daylight savings time?

March 8 is daylight savings time in various northern hemisphere territories, so it aligns with International Women’s Day for them.

Do women live longer than men?

Women generally live longer than men by six to eight years due to biological and behavioral advantages.

International Women's Day Activities

Get involved
There's an International Women’s Day event in nearly every major city and you can pick and choose what attracts you most. There are concerts where you can listen to live music, art exhibitions where talented creators display their work, and networking summits where you can hear guest speakers discuss women’s rights.
Do like they do in the rest of the world
Send a bouquet, thank you card, or some small gift to your mother, sister, or co-worker. It’s guaranteed to brighten their day, give you a boost in their eyes, and help commemorate a wonderful day.
Learn more about a woman you admire
We all have our favorite musicians, actresses, and historical figures, but have you taken the time to truly know their story? Do some digging and learn about what their life was like. Chances are they’ve been through their fair share of trials and tribulations, and you’ll be inspired by their perseverance.

5 Facts About International Women’s Day

Recognized by the U.N.
In 1975, the United Nations officially adopted International Women's Day.
A day for mothers
Serbia, Albania, Macedonia, and Uzbekistan celebrate International Women’s Day and Mother's Day together.
Theme change
Each year International Women's Day has a theme and for 2020 it was "An equal world is an enabled world."
Wage gap
In 2015, the U.N. reported that women still earn an average of 24% less than men do worldwide. Another study reveals that women get to save less than men with a 68 cents to a dollar ratio, for retirement.
Women are in session
In Algeria, women make up 70% of the country's lawyers and 60% of its judges.

Why We Love International Women's Day

It’s international and inter-organizational
No one government, NGO, charity, corporation, academic institution, women’s network, or media hub is solely responsible for International Women’s Day. International Women’s Day was established and has been celebrated for a long time! As Gloria Steinem says, “The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.” We agree! The day is all about intersectionality, whether that's the organizations that support International Women’s Day or the type of women the day celebrates.
It’s a global holiday
International Women’s Day is an official holiday in many countries including Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, China (for women only), Cuba, Georgia, Guinea-Bissau, Eritrea, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Madagascar (for women only), Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Nepal, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and Zambia. The tradition sees men honoring their mothers, wives, girlfriends, colleagues, and more with flowers and small gifts. There might be cultural differences between countries, but the appreciation of women and their accomplishments transcends all boundaries.
It raises awareness around the world
It may seem that we have progressed very far by now. Although some progress has been made, yes, a recent study of 145 nations showed that there's still a gender gap. Iceland has come closest to equality in economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment, and that's definitely a start. But in other places like Yemen, women are only considered half a witness in court cases. They're even forbidden to leave the house without their husband’s permission. IWF was created to strive toward a standard of gender equality for all countries. Because, as we all know, raising awareness about women’s plight around the world helps elevate all women.