Marked for the first time on March 19th of 1911, International Women's Day was first celebrated in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland following the German activist Clara Zetkins’ proposal. This was a giant and bold step in the right direction, a demand for women to be rightfully applauded and appreciated for their work for perhaps the first time.
"International Women's Day was first celebrated in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland following the German activist Clara Zetkins’ proposal."
Later in 1914, International Women’s Day was celebrated through a suffrage march in London. Although ending up with Sylvia Pankhurst being arrested (apparently it was controversial and considered slightly disruptive and unsociable to demand the vote, who knew?). This day proceeded to show us how this annual celebration could be used specifically to give women the opportunity to voice their demands and shed light on inequalities they face.
Eventually, after a few arrests here and there, this day was recognised and was made official by the UN in 1977, and continues to be celebrated annually today. So why does it matter today?
Although International Women’s Day is evidently a Recognition of the progress that women have made, it also acts as a call to action; a demand for the inequalities women continue to face to be recognised.
...when in fact men are being paid more for the same position, but instead, the positions they take in jobs are often much higher ranking
Unfortunately, the reality is that we are under the impression and myth that the gender pay gap and gender inequality as a whole “no longer exists”, when in fact men are being paid more for the same position, but instead, the positions they take in jobs are often much higher ranking, so even though women are being paid the same as their male co-workers, their bosses are usually male, and their bosses bosses- also male. It seems to be the higher the pyramid the bluer it becomes. The gender gap report of 2025 helps discontinue this false narrative that women are equal to men now through noting that we are targeted 123 years until we reach gender parity, where both sexes are at an equal representation.
Even so, this issue only refers to western parts of the world, for women globally, their rights are far from being equal, especially according to a recently published UNICEF report that states:
How do we use international women’s day to make change?
Unfortunately the patriarchy and sexism isn’t biological, its instilled, taught and normalised.
Celebrating is great: it brings people together, uplifts women and makes us feel better, but demanding change? Much better. Through demanding improved socialisation of young girls and boys, it’s essential that we instil the right messages, because unfortunately the patriarchy and sexism isn’t biological, its instilled, taught and normalised. When researched, UNICEF found that 1/3 of adolescent girls and boys aged 15-19 consider a husband to be justified in hitting his wife under certain circumstances. It’s clear that the way we grow up significantly impacts how we think and judge others.
Therefore, it’s crucial that we help people understand from an early age that women are to be respected rather than ridiculed, that we politely say: “It’s great that we’ve came so far, but how can we go further?”