Safiul Islam
Independent Researcher
M.A, B.Ed.
Aliah University, Kolkata
Introduction
Every year on March 8, the world comes together to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD), a moment to honor the achievements of women and push for gender equality. In 2025, the theme "Accelerate Action" highlights the need for urgent, collective efforts to close the gender gap and create a fairer world.
A Look Back: The History of IWD
The journey of IWD began over a century ago:
1908 – Women in New York protested for better working conditions and voting rights.
1910 – Clara Zetkin proposed an annual Women’s Day at the International Socialist Women’s Conference.
1911 – The first official IWD was celebrated in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland.
1975 – The United Nations recognized IWD during International Women’s Year, cementing its place as a global movement.
Why "Accelerate Action" in 2025?
This year’s theme is a call to:
Recognize and build on successful strategies that support women's progress.
Push for real change by removing the obstacles that continue to hold women back.
It’s a reminder that while progress has been made, much more needs to be done—quickly and decisively.
The Significance of 2025
This year is especially meaningful as it marks 30 years since the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a landmark agreement on women’s rights. It’s an opportunity to:
Champion women’s rights – Ensuring that women and girls can live freely and safely.
Promote true equality – Fighting against discrimination in all forms.
Empower women everywhere – Creating equal opportunities in education, work, and leadership.
How the World is Celebrating
People worldwide will mark IWD 2025 with:
Educational programs – Workshops and talks on gender equality and women's rights.
Community events – Rallies, marches, and cultural performances celebrating women’s contributions.
Workplace initiatives – Companies focusing on diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunities.
How You Can Make a Difference
To truly accelerate change, everyone must play a part:
Support women’s organizations – Contribute time or resources to groups advocating for women's rights.
Push for policy changes – Encourage governments and businesses to implement gender-equal policies.
Raise awareness – Start conversations and educate those around you on why gender equality matters.
By working together, we can ensure that progress doesn’t slow down but instead moves faster than ever toward a fair and just world.
Final Thoughts:
International Women’s Day 2025 isn’t just a celebration—it’s a wake-up call. The theme "Accelerate Action" is a powerful reminder that while we’ve made strides, we must continue pushing forward. Every step we take brings us closer to a world where all women and girls are empowered to reach their full potential.
08-03-2025
Kolkata
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