International Women’s Day is an annual global celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for further accelerating women’s equality.
The day of celebration is the centre point of Women’s History Month, which takes place over the course of March. Organisations will hold events celebrating the achievements of women and bringing awareness to crucial causes.
International Women’s Day has been marked for more than a century and each year’s event is given a theme. Here’s everything you need to know about International Women’s Day.
Read more: Grace Women of the Year: Nominate the inspirational women in your life to win £500
When is International Women’s Day?
Each year, International Women’s Day is celebrated across the world on March 8th.
When did International Women’s Day start?
The first International Women’s Day was officially celebrated more than a century ago in 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. More than one million men and women attended rallies campaigning for women’s rights to work, vote, be trained, hold public office and end discrimination.
The United Nations formally recognised the day in 1975 and two years later adopted a resolution proclaiming the day for women’s rights and international peace be observed by member states.
What is the theme of International Women’s Day?
For 2023, organisers have declared the theme of International Women’s Day to be Embrace Equity. They call on people to challenge gender stereotypes, call out discrimination, draw attention to bias and seek out inclusion.
Organisers say, “To truly embrace equity means to deeply believe, value and seek out the difference as a necessary and positive element of life. To embrace equity means to understand the journey required to achieve women’s equality.”
They further add that the campaign theme drives worldwide understanding of why “equal opportunities aren’t enough”.
How can I get involved in International Women’s Day 2023?
Everyone can get involved in this year's event regardless of their gender, age, sexual preference, race or beliefs - and IWD are promoting the campaign to anyone who is able to challenge inequalities in their day-to-day life.
Organisers are calling on those who wish to get involved to strike the #EmbraceEquity pose (arms crossed in a self-hug) to show solidarity and share images and videos online with the hashtags #EmbraceEquity and #IWD2023 to encourage others to help force an inclusive world.
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