“Do not say you are weak because you are a woman.” Mary Kom, Indian Boxer

International Women’s Day is celebrated on the 8th of March every year around the world. It is a focal point in the movement for women’s rights. The day was first celebrated by communist and socialist countries until it was adopted by the feminist movement in about 1967 and officially celebrated internationally in 1977.

The day itself was only celebrated in certain countries and ignored in others, some places it served as a protest or a holiday that advocates women’s rights. In the 1970s and 1980s, women’s groups were joined by labor organizations in calling for equal pay, equal economic opportunity, equal legal rights, reproductive rights, child care, and the prevention of violence against women. 

Not only are these important topics to acknowledge but it brings awareness to the cloud of issues in unfair treatment women endure in society. International Women’s Day is all about unity, reflection, advocacy, and action. The celebration doesn’t belong to a specific organization or feminist figure but rather the entire woman population who have chosen to take action and part in the movement of equality. 

The day is usually signified by the color purple for symbolizing women. The combination of purple, green and white to symbolize women’s equality originated from the Women’s Social and Political Union in 1908. Purple signifies justice and dignity. Green symbolizes hope. White represents purity but is no longer used due to ‘purity’ being a controversial concept.

Overall, the international holiday has been celebrated for almost over a century and every year brings awareness and progress to women’s rights. Not only has it inspired so many young women but it praises our future of tomorrow through female empowerment.