London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Sunday, Jul 13, 2025

International Women’s Day: When is it and how can I get involved?

International Women’s Day: When is it and how can I get involved?

The holiday is an annual celebration of women around the world - but how did it begin and how can you get involved?

Next Monday marks International Women’s Day, when countries all over the world celebrate the achievements of women and rally together for gender equality.

First celebrated in 1911, International Women’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate women who’ve made history and continue to champion change and encourage future generations.

Each year organisers choose a new theme as a banner under which they can unify the direction of everyone’ efforts, and help raise awareness.

Here’s what you need to know:

What is International Women’s Day?


International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

How did it begin?


It has been observed since the early 1900s.

The catalyst for it was a march that took place in 1908 with over 15,000 women campaigning for shorter hours, better pay and voting rights.

The first National Woman’s Day was celebrated across the United States on February 28 1909.

The idea to make the day international came from Clara Zetkin, who suggested the idea at the International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen in 1910.

International Women’s Day was agreed to be marked annually on March 8 and has remained the global date for the holiday ever since.

What is this year’s International Women’s Day theme?


The campaign theme for International Women’s Day 2021 is #ChooseToChallenge.

On the IWD website, organisers said: “We can all choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality. We can all choose to seek out and celebrate women’s achievements. Collectively, we can all help create an inclusive world”.

How is it going to be different during the pandemic?


With a national lockdown still enforced in the UK and live events placed on hold across the globe, many events will take place virtually.

“The pandemic won’t dampen our spirits in the pursuit to connect communities around the world to collaboratively forge positive change for women,” the IWD website reads.

What should be expected on the day?


There’s a whole host of events taking place in the lead up to International Women’s Day and on the date

These include panels discussing solidarity, adding non-binary voices to feminist pop culture and an empowerment walk taking place in central London on March 7.

How can people get involved?


People can show their support for IWD 2021 and this year’s theme #ChooseToChallenge, by posting an image of themselves on social media with their hand raised high to show they choose to challenge and call out inequality.

The organisation is also encouraging participating to use hashtags #ChooseToChallenge #IWD2021.

Individuals and organisations are inviting people to send their #ChooseToChallenge images which will be shared around the world in the lead up to International Women’s Day 2021.

What colours symbolise International Women’s Day?


Purple, green and white are the colours of International Women’s Day.

The colours originated from the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) in the UK in 1908.

At the time of its inception, purple signified justice and dignity, green symbolised hope and white represented purity.

Do we still need an International Women’s Day?


According to the World Economic Forum, “gender parity will not be attained for almost a century,” which means it’s likely none of us will see gender equality in our lifetimes.

“There’s urgent work to do - and we can all play a part,” the IWD website concludes.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Renault Shares Drop as CEO Luca de Meo Announces Departure Amid Reports of Move to Kering
Senior Aides for King Charles and Prince Harry Hold Secret Peace Summit
Anti‑Semitism ‘Normalised’ in Middle‑Class Britain, Says Commission Co‑Chair
King Charles Meets David Beckham at Chelsea Flower Show
If the Department is Really About Justice: Ghislaine Maxwell Should Be Freed Now
NYC Candidate Zohran Mamdani’s ‘Antifada’ Remarks Spark National Debate on Political Language and Economic Policy
President Trump Visits Flood-Ravaged Texas, Praises Community Strength and First Responders
From Mystery to Meltdown, Crisis Within the Trump Administration: Epstein Files Ignite A Deepening Rift at the Highest Levels of Government Reveals Chaos, Leaks, and Growing MAGA Backlash
Trump Slams Putin Over War Death Toll, Teases Major Russia Announcement
Reparations argument crushed
Rainmaker CEO Says Cloud Seeding Paused Before Deadly Texas Floods
A 92-year-old woman, who felt she doesn't belong in a nursing home, escaped the death-camp by climbing a gate nearly 8 ft tall
French Journalist Acquitted in Controversial Case Involving Brigitte Macron
Elon Musk’s xAI Targets $200 Billion Valuation in New Fundraising Round
Kraft Heinz Considers Splitting Off Grocery Division Amid Strategic Review
Trump Proposes Supplying Arms to Ukraine Through NATO Allies
EU Proposes New Tax on Large Companies to Boost Budget
Trump Imposes 35% Tariffs on Canadian Imports Amid Trade Tensions
Junior Doctors in the UK Prepare for Five-Day Strike Over Pay Disputes
US Opens First Rare Earth Mine in Over 70 Years in Wyoming
Kurdistan Workers Party Takes Symbolic Step Towards Peace in Northern Iraq
Bitcoin Reaches New Milestone of $116,000
Biden’s Doctor Pleads the Fifth to Avoid Self-Incrimination on President’s Medical Fitness
Grok Chatbot Faces International Backlash for Antisemitic Content
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
US Imposes New Tariffs on Brazilian Exports Amid Political Tensions
Azerbaijan and Armenia are on the brink of a historic peace deal.
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Weinstein Victim’s Lawyer Says MeToo Movement Still Strong
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
Labour Expected to Withdraw Support for Special Needs Funding Model
Leaked Audio Reveals Tory Aide Defending DEI Record
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
London Stock Exchange Faces Historic Low in Initial Public Offerings
A new online platform has emerged in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Muslim men seeking virgin brides
Trump Celebrates Independence Day with B-2 Flyover and Signs Controversial Legislation
Boris Johnson Urges Conservatives to Ignore Farage
SNP Ordered to Update Single-Sex Space Guidance Within Days
Starmer Set to Reject Calls for Wealth Taxes
Stolen Century-Old Rolls-Royce Recovered After Hotel Theft
Macron Presses Starmer to Recognise Palestinian State
Labour Delayed Palestine Action Ban Over Riot Concerns
Swinney’s Tax Comments ‘Offensive to Scots’, Say Tories
High Street Retailers to Enforce Bans on Serial Shoplifters
×