International Women's Day

Categories:: Cause
Tags:: Awareness Women
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Every March 8
Holiday emoji:: ♀️

International Women’s Day champions the historical, cultural, and political achievements of women every March 8. It’s a global call to action against gender inequality, urging us to recognize their invaluable contributions. Join the movement by supporting women-led businesses, advocating for equal rights, and celebrating the inspiring women in your life.

Deals
Platforms
Social
Brands
Hero
History
Timeline
Businesses
FAQs
Importance
Celebrate
Traditions
Insights
Stats

Expected International Women's Day Deals

As a Cause holiday, International Women’s Day focuses on advocacy and support rather than commercial deals. Organizations like UN Women and Global Fund for Women often launch fundraising campaigns and awareness drives. Many brands, such as The Body Shop, Kiehl’s, and Pandora, partner with women’s charities, donating a portion of sales from special collections. Look for companies like Starbucks and L’Oréal to highlight their commitment to gender equality through employee programs and community initiatives. We will update this page with confirmed live campaigns and donation-matching opportunities as March 8 approaches.

Platform Guide for International Women's Day

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #InternationalWomensDay. Share stories of inspiring women or highlight women-owned businesses.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #IWD2026. Join conversations about gender equality and share impactful statistics or calls to action.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #InternationalWomensDay. Organize or promote local events and discussions celebrating women.

International Women's Day Hero

Clara Zetkin

Clara Zetkin was a German Marxist theorist, activist, and advocate for women's rights, born in 1857. She played a pivotal role in the establishment of International Women's Day, proposing its creation at the 1910 International Socialist Women's Conference in Copenhagen. Zetkin championed universal suffrage for women and equal pay, believing that women's emancipation was intertwined with broader social liberation. Her tireless efforts helped solidify March 8 as a global day of recognition for women's contributions and struggles.

History of International Women's Day

Susan B. Anthony was a political activist and an advocate of women’s rights. After the Civil War, she fought for the 14th Amendment that was meant to grant all naturalized and native-born Americans citizenship in the hope that it would include suffrage rights. Although the 14th Amendment was ratified in 1868, it still didn’t secure their vote. In 1869, the National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA) was founded by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony to continue the fight for women’s rights.

In the early 1900s, women were experiencing pay inequality, a lack of voting rights, and they were being overworked. In response to all of this, 15,000 women marched through New York City in 1908 to demand their rights. In 1909, the first National Women’s Day was observed in accordance with a declaration by the Socialist Party of America. This was celebrated on the last Sunday of February until 1913.

An International Women’s Conference was organized in August 1910 by Clara Zetkin, a German suffragist and leader in the Women’s Office. Zetkin proposed a special Women’s Day to be organized annually and International Women’s Day was honored the following year in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland, with more than one million attending the rallies. On August 18, 1920, the 19th Amendment was ratified and white women were granted the right to vote in the U.S.

The liberation movement took place in the 1960s and the effort led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act, allowing all women the right to vote. When the internet became more commonplace, feminism and the fight against gender inequality experienced a resurgence. Now we celebrate International Women’s Day each year as we push continuously with the hope of creating a completely equal society.

International Women's Day timeline

1869

The NWSA Forms

The National Women’s Suffrage Association was founded by Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton to advocate for women's rights.

1911

A Day for Women

Clara Zetkin proposes a Women's Day celebration, and International Women's Day is celebrated annually from this point forth.

1965

All Women Can Vote

The women’s liberation movement fights for politics, work, the family, and sexuality and all women are given the right to vote.

2000s

New Age Feminism

With the age of the internet rising, the message of feminism becomes unified with a focused direction.

How Businesses Can Celebrate International Women's Day

Local businesses can honor International Women’s Day by highlighting female employees and leaders, sharing their stories of success and challenges. Consider hosting a special event, such as a panel discussion on women in leadership or a networking mixer for women entrepreneurs. Restaurants can feature women-owned wine labels or collaborate with female chefs. Retailers might offer promotions on products from women-owned brands or donate a portion of sales to local women’s shelters or empowerment programs, ensuring authentic support for the cause.

International Women's Day Media Coverage

The View (3/8/18)

International Women's Day — KBMT (Beaumont, TX)

International Women's Day - Survey Results

Data gathered by a top Kansas City Marketing Agency

Additional Findings

2017 — THE BIGGEST ISSUES FACING AMERICAN WOMEN

#1: Unequal pay (23%)
#2: The ability to balance a career and children (22%)
#3: Sexual violence (15%)
#4: Sexual objectification (15%)
#5: Reproductive rights (11%)
#6: Underrepresentation in politics (7%)
#7: Underrepresentation in business leadership (6%)

2018 — THE BIGGEST ISSUES FACING AMERICAN WOMEN

#1: Sexual violence (38%)
#2: Sexual objectification (35%)
#3: Unequal pay (34%)
#4: The ability to balance a career and children (32%)
#5: Underrepresentation in business leadership (20%)
#6: Reproductive rights (19%)
#7: Underrepresentation in politics (16%)

2018 — PROSECUTING SEXUAL ASSAULT AND HARASSMENT CRIMINALS

America should prosecute sexual assault and harassment criminals…

#1: More often (58%)
#2: The same amount (20%)
#3: The same amount, but reach more guilt verdicts (14%)
#4: Less often (7%)

2018 — THE BEST WAY TO STOP SEXUAL ASSAULT AND HARASSMENT

#1: A stricter legal system (43%)
#2: Prosecuting more criminals (43%)
#3: Better education (42%)
#4: Eliminating rape culture in media (35%)
#5: Workplace equality (29%)

Traditions of the Day

As women come together to celebrate the advancement of gender equality and women’s rights on International Women’s Day, they receive ample support from men who give them flowers or other gifts. This tradition extends to educational institutes and workplaces as well. Inspiring female leaders and women with success stories in different areas of life are put in the spotlight to encourage and influence other women all over the world.

In Spain and Turkey, political activities and protests take place on this day. The aim is to motivate change in policymaking. In China, women are often allowed a half-day off from work and receive special treatment in general at work and home.

By the Numbers

163.2 million – the number of females in the United States as of July 2015.

24% – the percentage of women in the U.S. Senate.

29% – the percentage of women in state legislative seats.

0% – the percentage of women as presidents of the United States.

40 billion – the number of hours spent by women in sub-Saharan Africa collecting water.

⅔ – of the world’s 796 million illiterate people are women.

1 in 3 – women around the world experience violence.

2.7 billion – the number of women who don’t have the same work opportunities as men.

82 million – the number of women worldwide who don’t have any legal protections against workplace discrimination.

650 million – the number of women who are married before the age of 18 across the world.

International Women's Day FAQs

When is International Women's Day?

In 2027, International Women’s Day will be observed on Monday, March 8. This annual event serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing fight for women’s rights and empowerment worldwide.

What is the theme for International Women's Day?

Each year, International Women’s Day adopts a theme to guide its global campaigns, often set by UN Women. For 2027, expect a focus on emerging challenges or persistent inequalities, building on discussions around economic empowerment, climate action, or ending violence against women.

How many countries celebrate International Women's Day?

The observance of International Women’s Day continues to grow, with a vast number of nations across every continent participating in various capacities. This widespread recognition underscores its global significance as a day for advocacy and celebration.

What is the history behind International Women's Day?

The idea for an international day was proposed by Clara Zetkin at the 1910 International Socialist Women’s Conference in Copenhagen. It was first celebrated on March 19, 1911, and later moved to March 8 in 1913, becoming a fixed date for global recognition and advocacy.

International Women's Day Activities

Get involved
There's an International Women’s Day event in nearly every major city and you can pick and choose what attracts you most. There are concerts where you can listen to live music, art exhibitions where talented creators display their work, and networking summits where you can hear guest speakers discuss women’s rights.
Do like they do in the rest of the world
Send a bouquet, thank you card, or some small gift to your mother, sister, or co-worker. It’s guaranteed to brighten their day, give you a boost in their eyes, and help commemorate a wonderful day.
Learn more about a woman you admire
We all have our favorite musicians, actresses, and historical figures, but have you taken the time to truly know their story? Do some digging and learn about what their life was like. Chances are they’ve been through their fair share of trials and tribulations, and you’ll be inspired by their perseverance.

5 Facts About International Women’s Day

Recognized by the U.N.
In 1975, the United Nations officially adopted International Women's Day.
A day for mothers
Serbia, Albania, Macedonia, and Uzbekistan celebrate International Women’s Day and Mother's Day together.
Theme change
Each year International Women's Day has a theme and for 2020 it was "An equal world is an enabled world."
Wage gap
In 2015, the U.N. reported that women still earn an average of 24% less than men do worldwide. Another study reveals that women get to save less than men with a 68 cents to a dollar ratio, for retirement.
Women are in session
In Algeria, women make up 70% of the country's lawyers and 60% of its judges.

Why We Love International Women's Day

It’s international and inter-organizational
No one government, NGO, charity, corporation, academic institution, women’s network, or media hub is solely responsible for International Women’s Day. International Women’s Day was established and has been celebrated for a long time! As Gloria Steinem says, “The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.” We agree! The day is all about intersectionality, whether that's the organizations that support International Women’s Day or the type of women the day celebrates.
It’s a global holiday
International Women’s Day is an official holiday in many countries including Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, China (for women only), Cuba, Georgia, Guinea-Bissau, Eritrea, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Madagascar (for women only), Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Nepal, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and Zambia. The tradition sees men honoring their mothers, wives, girlfriends, colleagues, and more with flowers and small gifts. There might be cultural differences between countries, but the appreciation of women and their accomplishments transcends all boundaries.
It raises awareness around the world
It may seem that we have progressed very far by now. Although some progress has been made, yes, a recent study of 145 nations showed that there's still a gender gap. Iceland has come closest to equality in economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment, and that's definitely a start. But in other places like Yemen, women are only considered half a witness in court cases. They're even forbidden to leave the house without their husband’s permission. IWF was created to strive toward a standard of gender equality for all countries. Because, as we all know, raising awareness about women’s plight around the world helps elevate all women.