International Women’s Day: History, Origin, and Significance

Every year on the 8th of March, the world pauses to honour women, their resilience, their achievements, and the battles they continue to fight. International Women's Day (IWD) is not merely a date on the calendar.

It is a living testament to more than a century of organised activism, quiet courage, and seismic social change.

From the factory floors of New York to the protest marches of Russia, from the suffragette rallies of Europe to the boardrooms and parliaments of today, this day carries within it the stories of millions of women who refused to accept less than they deserved.

Understanding that history, in all its richness, is the first and most important act of celebration.

Part I: The Origins, Seeds Sown in Struggle

The 1908 Garment Workers' March, New York

The modern story of International Women's Day begins not with declarations and diplomas, but with the callused hands of working women.

On 8 March 1908, some 15,000 women garment workers marched through the streets of New York City.

They were demanding shorter working hours, better wages, and, crucially, the right to vote. Their chant, 'Bread and Roses,' captured two essential hungers: economic survival and human dignity.

These were women who stitched garments in cramped, poorly lit sweatshops for pennies a day. Their march was an act of extraordinary bravery. It planted a seed that would grow, over the next hundred years, into a global movement.

Historical Milestone, 1908 15,000 garment workers march through Manhattan demanding fair wages, shorter hours, and voting rights. The slogan 'Bread and Roses' echoes the dual demand for economic justice and human dignity, a cry that still resonates today.

1910: Clara Zetkin and the Socialist International

Two years later, at the International Socialist Women's Conference in Copenhagen, German activist Clara Zetkin proposed a radical idea: that every country should set aside a day each year to advocate for women's rights.

Her proposal was unanimous. Over 100 women from 17 countries approved it.

Zetkin was a formidable force. A journalist, politician, and lifelong campaigner, she believed passionately that women's liberation was inseparable from broader social equality.

Her vision gave the women's movement an international dimension it had lacked, and in doing so, changed history.

1911: The First International Women's Day

The first International Women's Day was marked on 19 March 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland. More than one million women and men attended rallies demanding the right for women to vote and hold public office, to work, and to end discrimination.

Less than a week later, on 25 March 1911, tragedy struck the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York. A fire killed 146 garment workers, predominantly young immigrant women.

The disaster shocked the nation, galvanised the labour movement, and served as a grim reminder of why these women had marched. It added urgency and moral gravity to a movement already in motion.

Part II: Revolution and the Road to Suffrage

1917: Women Ignite a Revolution

One of the most dramatic chapters in Women's Day history unfolded on the last Sunday of February 1917 (which fell on 8 March in the Gregorian calendar).

Women textile workers in Petrograd, Russia, went on strike to protest food shortages and the devastating losses of World War I.

Their strike triggered a chain of events that would lead, within days, to the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II.

Within the week, the Russian Provisional Government granted women the right to vote. The power of collective action, of women standing together in a city square and saying 'enough', had toppled a tsar.

It remains one of the most extraordinary moments in the history of women's rights.

The Suffragette Movement Across the West

While Russian women were making revolution, women in Britain, America, and beyond were engaged in their own fierce struggles for the vote.

In Britain, the suffragette movement, led by figures like Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters Sylvia and Christabel, endured imprisonment, force-feeding, and public ridicule.

They chained themselves to railings, went on hunger strikes, and refused to be silent.

In 1918, the Representation of the People Act granted voting rights to British women over 30 who met certain property qualifications.

American women followed in 1920 with the 19th Amendment.

These were hard-won victories, achieved through decades of courage that Women's Day honours every year.

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Part III: The UN Era and a Global Movement

1975: The United Nations Steps In

For decades, Women's Day had been observed primarily by socialist and communist movements. It was the United Nations that transformed it into a truly global occasion.

In 1975, designated International Women's Year, the UN began celebrating International Women's Day on 8 March.

In 1977, the UN General Assembly invited member states to proclaim 8 March as the UN Day for Women's Rights and International Peace.

From that point forward, the day belonged to the whole world.

A New Annual Theme System

The UN began assigning annual themes to Women's Day, focusing global attention on specific aspects of gender equality.

Over the years, these themes have addressed education, economic empowerment, health, leadership, and climate change, reflecting how the challenges facing women evolve with the world.

Selected IWD Themes Through the Decades 1996, Celebrating the Past, Planning for the Future 2000, Women Uniting for Peace 2010, Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities: Progress for All 2015, Empowering Women, Empowering Humanity: Picture It! 2020, I am Generation Equality: Realising Women's Rights 2024, Inspire Inclusion 2025, Accelerate Action

Part IV: The Modern Women's Movement

#MeToo and the Power of Speaking Up

The 21st century brought new energy to the movement. The #MeToo movement, which exploded globally in 2017, gave millions of women the language and platform to share experiences of harassment and assault that had long been suppressed.

It showed that women's rights were not a relic of history; they were an urgent, living, breathing issue.

The movement sparked conversations in every industry, in every country. It changed laws, toppled powerful men, and, most importantly, made women feel less alone.

International Women's Day 2018 was observed against this backdrop, with strikes, marches, and rallies carrying renewed intensity.

Women in Leadership: Breaking the Glass Ceiling

Each year, Women's Day celebrates new milestones. Kamala Harris became the first female Vice President of the United States in 2021. Jacinda Ardern governed New Zealand with a combination of empathy and strength that captured the world's imagination.

Christine Lagarde became the first female head of the European Central Bank. In boardrooms and courtrooms, in science labs and on stages, women continue to rise.

And yet, the gender pay gap persists. Violence against women remains epidemic. In too many countries, women still cannot leave the house without permission, choose whom to marry, or access education.

International Women's Day holds space for both celebration and honest reckoning, because the work is far from done.

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Part V: What International Women's Day Means Today

International Women's Day has evolved into something far larger than its socialist origins. Today, it is observed by governments, corporations, charities, schools, and individuals across the globe.

Purple, white, and green, the colours of the suffragette movement, are worn with pride.

March 8th sees marches and exhibitions, charity fundraisers and business forums, social media campaigns and candlelit memorials. It is simultaneously a day of protest and a day of joy, a day of grief and a day of gratitude.

It honours those who came before while demanding more from those who come after.

The Colours and Symbols of Women's Day

The symbolic colours of International Women's Day trace their roots to the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) in Britain, founded by Emmeline Pankhurst in 1903.

Purple represents dignity and loyalty. White stands for purity of purpose. Green symbolises hope. These three colours, worn by suffragettes who were beaten and imprisoned for their beliefs, remain the visual language of women's solidarity worldwide.

The Symbolism of IWD Colours Purple, Dignity, Justice & Loyalty White, Purity of Heart & Purpose Green, Hope for the Future These colours were adopted by the British suffragette movement in 1908 and continue to define the visual identity of International Women's Day globally.

Part VI: Ten Women Who Changed the World

International Women's Day is, at its heart, a celebration of women, their courage, intellect, creativity, and love.

Here are ten women whose lives remind us of what is possible when women are given, or create, space to be extraordinary.

Marie Curie (1867–1934) Physicist and chemist who won Nobel Prizes in both Physics and Chemistry, the first person to win in two different sciences. Emmeline Pankhurst (1858–1928) British suffragette leader whose militant activism helped win women the right to vote in the UK. Rosa Parks (1913–2005) A civil rights activist who refused to give up her bus seat in Montgomery, Alabama, sparked a pivotal boycott. Malala Yousafzai (b. 1997) Pakistani activist for female education and the youngest Nobel Prize laureate, having survived a Taliban assassination attempt. Wangari Maathai (1940–2011) Kenyan environmental activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate who founded the Green Belt Movement. Amelia Earhart (1897–1937) First female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic, a pioneering symbol of women in male-dominated fields. Frida Kahlo (1907–1954) Mexican artist whose deeply personal work explored pain, identity, and womanhood, a feminist icon to this day. Ruth Bader Ginsburg (1933–2020) The US Supreme Court Justice who spent her career championing gender equality and civil rights. Serena Williams (b. 1981) Tennis legend and one of the greatest athletes of any gender, who has publicly fought for equal pay and maternal health rights. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (b. 1977) Nigerian author whose essay 'We Should All Be Feminists' has become a landmark text in contemporary feminist thought.

Part VII: The Golden Thread, Jewellery and Women Through History

Throughout human history, gold has been inseparable from the story of women. In ancient Egypt, queens wore gold as a mark of divine power.

In the Ottoman Empire, women received gold jewellery as a form of personal wealth, independent of their husbands.

In India, the tradition of streedhan saw gold passed from mother to daughter as both treasure and protection.

Gold was not merely an ornament. It was autonomy. A woman with her own gold had something of her own, a resource she could rely on when the world around her was uncertain. This is not lost to history. It is deeply felt.

Today, as women celebrate their achievements on International Women's Day, gold remains a powerful symbol. A ring worn on a confident hand. A necklace catches the light as a woman steps into a room and owns it. A pair of minimal earrings that whisper: I know who I am.

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Unlike ordinary gold-plated jewellery, vermeil is held to higher standards: the gold layer must be at least 2.5 microns thick, and the base must be sterling silver (925). This is jewellery made to be worn every day, through the celebrations and the struggles.

Why KYMEE 18K Gold Vermeil? 18K Gold, the ideal balance of purity and strength Solid Sterling Silver Base (925), hypoallergenic & skin-safe 2.5 Micron Gold Thickness, built to last years, not months Ethically sourced materials & responsible craftsmanship Perfect for daily wear and special occasions alike

How to Celebrate International Women's Day Meaningfully

International Women's Day is not just an occasion for brands and governments; it belongs to all of us.

Here are some ways to mark it with genuine intention.

Educate Yourself Read the history, the real history. From Clara Zetkin to Mary Wollstonecraft, from Harriet Tubman to Aung San Suu Kyi. Women's history is rich, complex, and largely missing from mainstream education. Support Women-Led Businesses Make a conscious choice on 8 March, and beyond, to spend your money with women-owned and women-led businesses. Every purchase is a vote for the world you want to live in. Donate or Volunteer Organisations fighting for women's rights, locally and globally, are chronically underfunded. Even small donations make a real difference. Consider organisations working on education, domestic violence support, or economic empowerment. Tell a Woman She Matters Call your mother, your sister, your mentor, your friend. Tell her what she means to you. Tell her what she has made possible in your life. These words cost nothing and mean everything. Wear the Colours Purple, white, and green. Wear them with pride, and know the history behind them when someone asks.

Conclusion

More than a century has passed since those garment workers marched down the streets of New York, cold and determined, demanding to be seen. The world has changed enormously since then, and not nearly enough.

Women hold power in ways our grandmothers could not have imagined. They also face violence, discrimination, and erasure in ways that would horrify those same grandmothers. International Women's Day asks us to hold both truths at once: to celebrate how far we have come, and to refuse to pretend we have arrived.

Every woman who gets up in the morning and does something, raises a child, runs a company, writes a poem, drives a bus, performs surgery, bakes bread, teaches a class, builds a home, is continuing the work of those marchers. Every woman who refuses to shrink, to apologise for her ambitions, or to accept less than she is worth, is honouring that legacy.

And every time we choose to celebrate women, to gift them something beautiful, to say 'I see you, I honour you', we are participating in something that matters.

Happy International Women's Day.

To every woman who has ever dared, this day is yours.

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FAQs

1. What is the story behind Women's Day?
International Women’s Day started in the early 1900s when women demanded better working conditions, voting rights, and equal rights. In 1910, Clara Zetkin suggested celebrating a special day for women. Today, it is observed on March 8.

2. Why purple for Women's Day?
Purple represents justice and dignity. It became the official colour of International Women’s Day to show equality and respect for women.

3. Who introduced Women's Day in India?
International Women’s Day began being celebrated in India in the early 20th century during the freedom movement. Social reformers and women’s rights activists helped spread awareness.

4. In which country was the first National Women’s Day celebrated?
The first National Women’s Day was celebrated in the United States in 1909.

5. What is the moral of Women’s Day?
The moral is to promote equality, respect, empowerment, and equal rights for women.

6. What is the symbol of International Women’s Day?
The main symbol is the female gender symbol (a circle with a cross below). It represents womanhood and strength.

7. What flower symbolises Women’s Day?
The mimosa flower symbolises Women’s Day, especially in Italy, where it is traditionally given to women on March 8.

8. Why do we celebrate Women’s Day on March 8?

March 8 was chosen to honour women’s protests in the early 1900s for better working conditions and voting rights. In 1917, women in Russia protested for “bread and peace” on March 8, which helped make the date famous worldwide.

9. How to wish Women’s Day?

You can say:

• “Happy Women’s Day! Thank you for your strength and kindness.”
• “Wishing you success, happiness, and respect today and always.”
• “Happy International Women’s Day to an inspiring woman!”

10. How to celebrate International Women’s Day?

• Thank and appreciate the women in your life.
• Share inspiring stories about women.
• Support women-owned businesses.
• Attend events or programs about women’s rights.

11. When was International Women’s Day first celebrated?

It was first celebrated in 1911 in countries like Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland.

12. Who started International Women’s Day?

It was started by Clara Zetkin, a German activist, in 1910 at a women’s conference.

13. What happened on Women’s Day?

Historically, women protested for rights like voting, fair pay, and better working conditions. Today, people celebrate women’s achievements and talk about gender equality.

14. How to celebrate Women’s Day in the office?

• Organise a small event or meeting.
• Give appreciation notes or awards.
• Invite a woman leader to speak.
• Promote equal opportunities at work.

15. How to celebrate Women’s Day in school?

• Conduct speeches or essay competitions.
• Make posters about inspiring women.
• Perform skits or cultural programs.
• Talk about the importance of equality.

16. Why is International Women’s Day important?

It reminds us to respect women, celebrate their achievements, and support equal rights and opportunities for everyone.

17. How to celebrate Women’s Day at home?

• Help with household work.
• Give a small gift or flowers.
• Spend quality time together.
• Say thank you and show appreciation.

18. How to celebrate Women’s Day with friends?

• Plan a small get-together.
• Share inspiring stories.
• Watch a movie about strong women.
• Support a cause for women together.