International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated annually on March 8th to honor the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women worldwide. It is also a day to raise awareness about the challenges that women still face in achieving gender equality and to advocate for women's rights and empowerment.


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IWD has been observed since the early 1900s and has become a global movement that transcends borders, cultures, and ideologies. It provides a platform for women and their allies to come together, share their stories and experiences, and work towards a common goal of gender equality.


In this essay, we will explore the history and significance of International Women’s Day, the progress made towards achieving gender equality, and the challenges that remain.


History of International Women’s Day


The origins of International Women’s Day can be traced back to the early 1900s when women across the world were fighting for their rights, including the right to vote, better working conditions, and an end to gender discrimination. In 1908, 15,000 women marched through the streets of New York City, demanding better pay, shorter hours, and the right to vote.


The following year, the first National Women’s Day was celebrated in the United States on February 28th. In 1910, Clara Zetkin, a German activist, proposed the idea of an international day to honor women's achievements and advocate for their rights at the International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen. The proposal was unanimously accepted, and the first International Women’s Day was celebrated on March 19th, 1911, in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland.


Since then, International Women’s Day has been celebrated annually on March 8th, and it has become a global phenomenon. It is a day that recognizes the struggles and sacrifices of women throughout history and celebrates their achievements in various fields, including politics, science, literature, art, and sports.


The Significance of International Women’s Day


International Women’s Day is a day to celebrate women's achievements, but it is also a day to raise awareness about the challenges that women still face in achieving gender equality. Despite significant progress in recent years, women still experience discrimination and inequality in various forms, including unequal pay, limited access to education and healthcare, gender-based violence, and underrepresentation in leadership positions.


According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2021, it will take another 135.6 years to close the global gender gap fully. The report also found that the COVID-19 pandemic has widened gender gaps in several areas, including employment, education, and healthcare. Therefore, there is an urgent need to accelerate progress towards gender equality, and International Women’s Day provides an opportunity to do so.


International Women’s Day: Women's Leadership in a COVID-19 World


The COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenging time for everyone globally. Women, however, have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. The pandemic has exposed pre-existing inequalities and magnified them. Women, particularly those from marginalized communities, have faced increased financial instability, mental health issues, and domestic violence during this time.


Despite the challenges, women have demonstrated incredible leadership qualities during the pandemic. Women have been at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19, working as frontline healthcare workers, caregivers, and essential workers. Women have also taken on leadership roles in governments and organizations, leading the response to the pandemic.


New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is an excellent example of women's leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her leadership style, which emphasized empathy and compassion, helped New Zealand successfully contain the spread of the virus. She also made sure that vulnerable communities were taken care of and had access to necessary resources.


Similarly, Taiwan's Vice President Chen Chien-jen, who is a public health expert, played a crucial role in Taiwan's response to the pandemic. She led the government's response to the pandemic and was instrumental in containing the spread of the virus.


These are just two examples of women's leadership during the pandemic. Women globally have shown incredible resilience and strength during this difficult time.


International Women’s Day: Challenges Facing Women in Leadership


While women's leadership during the pandemic has been commendable, there are still several challenges that women face in leadership positions. Women continue to face discrimination and bias in the workplace, including unequal pay and limited access to leadership positions.


The pandemic has also highlighted the burden of unpaid care work that falls disproportionately on women. Women are more likely to take on caregiving responsibilities for children, the elderly, and family members with disabilities. This unpaid care work can limit women's opportunities for career advancement and leadership positions.


Women from marginalized communities face additional barriers to leadership positions. They often face discrimination and bias based on their race, ethnicity, or religion. These barriers limit their opportunities for career advancement and leadership positions.


International Women’s Day: Solutions for Achieving an Equal Future


Achieving gender equality is a complex and ongoing process that requires action from all levels of society. While progress has been made in recent years, there is still a long way to go. The following are some solutions that can help us achieve an equal future for International Women's Day.


Educate and Raise Awareness


One of the most important steps towards achieving gender equality is to educate and raise awareness about the issue. This includes educating young people about gender stereotypes, challenging harmful norms, and promoting positive examples of gender equality. This can be done through school curricula, media campaigns, and community programs.


Address Gender Stereotypes and Discrimination


Gender stereotypes and discrimination are major barriers to achieving gender equality. Addressing these issues requires changing attitudes and behaviors at all levels of society. This can be done by challenging harmful norms and practices, promoting positive role models, and implementing policies that support gender equality.


Ensure Equal Access to Education and Employment


Access to education and employment is crucial for achieving gender equality. Girls and women must have equal opportunities to access education and training programs, and must be able to pursue careers of their choice without discrimination or bias. This requires the elimination of gender-based barriers such as early marriage, gender-based violence, and lack of access to education and training.


Promote Women's Leadership and Political Participation


Women's leadership and political participation are critical for achieving gender equality. This requires increasing women's representation in leadership positions and promoting women's participation in politics and decision-making processes. This can be done by implementing policies that support women's political participation, including quotas and gender-sensitive electoral systems.


Address Gender-Based Violence and Harassment


Gender-based violence and harassment are major barriers to achieving gender equality. This requires addressing the root causes of violence and harassment, including harmful gender norms and power imbalances. This can be done by implementing policies and programs that prevent violence and provide support to survivors.


Ensure Equal Pay and Economic Opportunities


Equal pay and economic opportunities are essential for achieving gender equality. Women must have equal access to jobs, training, and promotions, and must be paid equally for equal work. This requires the elimination of gender-based pay gaps and the promotion of policies that support equal pay and economic opportunities for women.


Foster Partnerships and Collaboration


Achieving gender equality requires partnerships and collaboration between governments, civil society organizations, and the private sector. This requires the development of partnerships and collaboration models that leverage the strengths and resources of different stakeholders.


Achieving gender equality is a complex and ongoing process that requires action from all levels of society. By implementing the solutions outlined above, we can work towards an equal future for International Women's Day. Together, we can create a world where all women have the opportunity to reach their full potential, free from discrimination and bias.