On March 8, 2023, International Women’s Day will be celebrated around the world. Here’s what you need to know about this special day, including its history and how you can celebrate it this year.
The History of International Women’s Day
March is designated as Women’s History Month each year. The month is set aside to recognize women’s contributions not only in America’s past and present but throughout the world.
The most important day of this month-long celebration falls on March 8, which is known as International Women’s Day (IWD). IWD is a worldwide celebration of women’s social, economic, cultural, and political accomplishments. It also aims to educate and promote awareness about women’s equality, advocate for positive change that benefits women, campaign for increased gender parity, and raise much-needed funds for female-focused charities.
IWD has a long and intriguing history dating back to 1908, when 15,000 women protested in New York City, calling for the right to vote, along with shorter work hours and higher pay. On February 28, 1909, the first National Woman’s Day (NWD) was celebrated across the United States. This date was later amended in 1913 to March 8, and the event was renamed International Women’s Day as it had begun to be recognized as a significant celebration around the world.
Celebrating International Women’s Day 2023: Themes and Events
Each year, IWD follows a different theme to drive its campaigns and events. The theme of International Women’s Day 2023 is #EmbraceEquity, which is about thinking beyond gender equality and instead rallying for an inclusive world. The campaign encourages us all to “challenge gender stereotypes, call out discrimination, draw attention to bias, and seek out inclusion.”
To help celebrate and show your support, IWD organizers want you to strike your best #EmbraceEquity pose. Then, using the hashtags #IWD2023 and #EmbraceEquity, share your #EmbraceEquity content on social media to inspire others to strive for a more inclusive world.
There are also plenty of events happening across the nation that you can take part in on International Women’s Day. You’ll find a huge list of these on the IWD events page.
Building a More Equal and Empowered Future for Women
International Women’s Day is an opportunity for us to celebrate the achievements of women, reflect on how much further we have to go and look at how we can improve the lives of future generations.
As part of a continued commitment to gender equality, we must work towards a more equal world where all people have their human rights respected regardless of sex or gender identity. In order to achieve this goal, we must take action now so that everyone has access to quality education, health care services, decent work opportunities, political participation in decision-making processes, security from violence and abuse, land ownership rights, and other tools needed to lead full lives free from poverty and discrimination.
Celebrate International Women’s Day 2023 Your Way
Thankfully, there are steps we can take today to ensure we all play our part in celebrating the role of women in our world. Get involved by taking part in the #EmbraceEquity campaign, attending an IWD event in your city, or even organizing your own celebration.
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