Women form a significant component of society. Without women, the world wouldn’t have existed. They have made the world a better place through their hard work, determination, and power whether as homemakers or teachers or engineers or doctors or politicians, or in any other form. Women are strong, beautiful, and powerful. Hence, a day is dedicated to celebrate and recognize the social, economical, cultural, and political achievements of women all over the globe, called International Women’s Day. 

International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day is observed every year on March 8th. The day is celebrated to honor a woman’s accomplishment along with raising awareness about gender inequality. This day is for all of us to join voices and spread the message ‘equal rights for women’.

The theme for International Women’s Day 2023 

The theme for International Women’s Day 2023 is ‘Cracking the Code: Innovation for a gender-equal future’. This theme is based on the United Nations 67th Commission on the Status of Women priority theme ‘Innovation and technological change, and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls’.

Facts

• 70 percent of the 1.3 billion people living in conditions of poverty are women. In urban areas, 40 percent of the poorest households are headed by women.
• Women predominate in the world’s food production, 50-80 percent, but they own less than 10 percent of the land.
• 80 percent of the displaced by climate-related disasters and changes around the world are women and girls.
• Climate change may lead to more gender-based violence, an increase in child marriages, and worsening sexual and reproductive health.
• Violence against women has worsened due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• 45 countries do not have specific laws against domestic violence.
• 30 percent of women globally have experienced sexual or physical violence in their lifetime.
• 47 countries still have no repercussions for husbands who rape their wives.

Colors that symbolize International Women’s Day

Purple, green, and white are the colours of International Women's Day. Purple signifies justice and dignity and loyal to the cause. Green symbolizes hope. White represents purity, albeit a controversial concept. The colors originated from the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) in the UK in 1908. 

Significance of International Women’s Day

This day is to identify how far we have come for gender equality and how more we have to go.

Back in 1911, only eight countries allowed women to vote whereas now a majority of the countries allow women to vote. While we once faced restrictions on whether we can work, we are now running corporations. We have lot many rights now that our grandmother could only have dreamed about.

But we still don’t have complete equality.

However, many fortunate women have never encountered discrimination, harassment, or faced systemic barriers to their success, the path was not as simple for many of us. This is the day to tell these women that they are not alone. The day is to remember that as long as one woman faces discrimination, harassment, inequality, or oppression, we all do.

This day is a way to reinspire and re-energize or to remind ourselves that there are millions of women standing with us, struggling and winning the same battle every day. 

Progress should be linear; more powers should be given to women. Laws and rights of women should be followed strictly.

Everyone everywhere can play a part in helping forge gender equality.