Women around the globe will unite on International Women’s Day this Sunday, calling for equal pay, reproductive rights, education, justice, and more decision-making roles, while celebrating progress toward female empowerment. This significant day, officially recognized by the United Nations in 1977, is observed in different manners across various regions, often manifesting in protests that can be political and, at times, violent. These demonstrations often stem from women's efforts to improve their rights as workers.
The year 2026 will mark the 115th anniversary of International Women’s Day. The theme for this year is “Give to Gain,” focusing on fundraising for organizations dedicated to women’s issues and encouraging less tangible forms of giving, like teaching peers and challenging discrimination.
Observances of International Women’s Day take various forms. In Istanbul, Turkey, activists shouted slogans during protests, while vendors in China and Russia sold flowers in celebration. In Phnom Penh, Cambodia, local workers participated in marches, lifting fists and umbrellas to signify solidarity.
What is International Women’s Day?
International Women’s Day serves as both a celebration and a call to action, characterized by demonstrations worldwide, which range from combative protests to charity runs. While some events highlight women’s economic, social, and political achievements, others urge governments to secure equal pay, healthcare access, justice for victims of gender-based violence, and education for girls.
This day functions as an official holiday in over 20 countries, including Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Ukraine, Russia, and Cuba—the only nation in the Americas observing it as a public holiday. In the United States, March is designated as Women’s History Month.
When did it start and why does it fall on March 8?
The concept of a women’s day traces back to the American Socialist Party in 1909. It was a German feminist in 1910 at an international conference in Copenhagen who advocated for a global observance. The following year, various events occurred across Europe. During World War I, women used the occasion to protest against the armed conflict, which lasted from 1914 to 1918.
International Women’s Day is officially celebrated on March 8 due to a significant protest in Russia on February 23, 1917, which ultimately contributed to the country’s withdrawal from the war. Notably, Russia was still utilizing the Julian calendar at that time. The United Nations began commemorating the holiday in 1975, acknowledging it two years later.
How is it being observed in various locations worldwide?
This year, around 20,000 participants attended the International Women’s Day march in Berlin, which was double the expected turnout, according to the German news agency dpa. Speakers emphasized the need to combat violence against women in Germany and address gender discrimination.
In Brazil, marches served as a rallying call against gender-based violence, spurred by a recent case involving the alleged gang rape of a 17-year-old girl in Copacabana. Protests were planned in at least 15 cities across the country, demanding the protection of women's lives and an end to femicide.
In Spain, tens of thousands of women took to the streets in major cities to advocate for equality, denounce violence against women, and express solidarity with oppressed women around the world, including those in Afghanistan and Iran. Khadija Amin, an Afghan journalist, shared her pledge to support oppressed women during a Madrid march.
Women in Gaza City reflected on their past lives before the war, expressing the dire conditions they now live under. Many navigate daily struggles for basic necessities, illustrating the hardships faced by Palestinian women.
In Ecuador's Amazonian town of Puyo, members of Indigenous groups marched proudly showcasing their traditional clothing. They raised their voices against environmental degradation and the expansion of oil and gas industries, seeking respect for their rights and advocacy for public policies favorable to nature.
Pakistan briefly detains activists
In Pakistan, police in Islamabad briefly detained women’s rights activists who attempted to organize a rally against a government ban on public gatherings due to security concerns amid escalating militant violence. However, they were later released. Activist network Aurat March condemned the arrests, asserting that participants were merely exercising their right to protest peacefully.
Advocates protest against Epstein in New Mexico
In Albuquerque, New Mexico, advocates coordinated by Women's March rallied outside of Zorro Ranch, where financier Jeffrey Epstein allegedly abused and trafficked underage girls. Speakers at the event, including relatives of Virginia Giuffre, discussed the ongoing systematic protections for powerful abusers and emphasized the need for accountability.
What does the future hold for March 8?
Commemorating International Women’s Day is increasingly viewed as critical, especially considering setbacks for women’s rights in recent years, such as the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in 2022 to overturn the federal right to abortion, which had been constitutionally protected for nearly half a century.
