International Women’s Day 2025: What is it and How Can you Get Involved?

Story by Syraat Al Mustaqeem for the Evening Standard.

International Women’s Day, a day on which countries all over the world unite in the celebration of women’s achievements, is due to take place on 8th March. The event on March 8 honours women of the past and present who have fought for change in gender equality and funding female-focused charities. It also celebrates future generations of women. Under the new annual theme, organisers are inviting men and women to partake in campaign efforts to raise awareness.

The first official International Women’s Day was in 1975, when it was recognised by the United Nations (UN). But its origins began earlier, in 1908, when a women’s rights march in New York City saw 15,000 people advocating for better pay and voting rights. IWD was then commemorated in the United States on February 28, 1909, with countries like Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland joining the occasion in 1911.

Clara Zetkin suggested the event be taken global at the International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen in 1910. The date wasn’t formalised until a wartime strike in 1917, when Russian women demanded “bread and peace”. Four days into the strike, the tsar was forced to abdicate, and the provisional government granted women emancipation. The strike began on March 8, and this became the date that International Women’s Day is celebrated.

The theme for International Women’s Day 2025 is Accelerate Action.  According to UN Office for Partnerships: “This year’s theme calls for action that can unlock equal rights, power and opportunities for all and a feminist future where no one is left behind. Central to this vision is empowering the next generation – youth, particularly young women and adolescent girls – as catalysts for lasting change.”

The aim of this year’s theme is to encourage people to positively impact women’s advancement, whether by calling out stereotypes, challenging discrimination, questioning bias or celebrating women’s success. Additionally, it is said that sharing knowledge and encouragement with others is key. International Women’s Day, the organisation, is encouraging people around the world to use the hashtags #IWD2025 and #AccelerateAction while sharing positive messages about the important celebration to show solidarity with women and girls.

The IWD campaign is calling for people to use this year’s hashtags and for all IWD activities to incorporate an element of women-focused fundraising. The International Women’s Day website also includes an arsenal of free resources, including graphics and event ideas so you can take part in your own way.

The short answer is yes.

While women’s rights and the equality narrative have excelled in some parts of the world, the reality is that women still face countless challenges because of their gender — even in the UK.

The World Economic Forum previously claimed that gender parity is about a century away, meaning there’s a long way to go.

The World Bank also revealed that 2.4 billion women of working age around the world don’t receive equal economic opportunities compared to men.

This campaign is as much for future generations as it is for people today. It’s about bringing these topics to the forefront, shining a light on the challenges and finding impactful outcomes.

IWD said of this year’s theme: “At the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158, which is roughly five generations from now, to reach full gender parity, according to data from the World Economic Forum.

“Focusing on the need to Accelerate Action emphasises the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality. It calls for increased momentum and urgency in addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face, both in personal and professional spheres.

“So, together, let’s Accelerate Action to speed up the rate of progress worldwide.”

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