Why celebrating International Women's Day is important

How did it start?

IWD's roots trace back to the early 20th century, a time of significant social unrest and industrial expansion. It emerged from the burgeoning labor movement, particularly in North America and Europe. In 1908, 15,000 women marched in New York City, demanding shorter working hours, better pay, and voting rights. The following year, the Socialist Party of America declared the first National Woman's Day. The concept gained international traction, and in 1911, the first official International Women's Day was observed in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland, with over a million people participating.

What has the progress been like since then?

Since those early days, significant strides have been made. Women have gained the right to vote in many countries, access to education and employment has expanded, and legal frameworks have been established to protect women's rights. However, the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report 2024 underscores that true gender parity is still far from being achieved. The pace of progress is also uneven, with some regions and sectors lagging behind.

The fight for gender equality is propelled forward by the courage and leadership of modern women. Figures such as Malala Yousafzai, an advocate for girls' education, and Tarana Burke, the founder of the #MeToo movement, continue to inspire change. Women in politics, science, business, and activism are breaking barriers, proving that gender equality is not just a dream but an achievable reality.

Why is it still important?

Even though we’ve made progress, there is still so much to do. Despite over a century of activism, many critical issues affecting women’s rights remain unresolved. The existence of harmful practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM), child marriage, and sexual violence highlights the ongoing struggle for gender equality. Sexual violence remains alarmingly prevalent, with statistics showing high rates of assault across various regions, including developed nations like Germany.

In war zones, sexual violence is still used as a weapon, inflicting deep societal scars. Gender pay gaps persist in nearly every country, and reproductive rights are increasingly contested, underscoring the need for continued advocacy.

Another pressing issue that highlights the need for continued advocacy is the gender health gap. Studies have shown that medical research and healthcare systems are still primarily designed around male physiology, often neglecting crucial differences in how women experience diseases and respond to treatments. Many conditions, including heart disease and chronic pain disorders, present differently in women, yet diagnostic criteria and treatment protocols often do not account for these variations.

In addition, women are more likely to have their pain dismissed by healthcare providers, leading to delays in diagnosis and inadequate treatment. The lack of gender-specific medical research and training further exacerbates this issue, leaving women at a higher risk of misdiagnosis and suboptimal care. Addressing these disparities requires a systemic shift in medical education, research funding, and policy-making to ensure that healthcare is equitable and responsive to women’s unique health needs.

Celebrating International Women’s Day is not just about looking back at progress but also about setting the course for future generations. Empowering women means creating a society where equality, opportunity, and dignity are not privileges but fundamental rights.

Author: Tsion Basazinew