What do you know about International Women's Day?

What is International Women’s Day?

International Women’s Day takes place every year on 8 March to celebrate the achievements of women all over the world. It started with a protest that took place in New York City in 1908 where women went out onto the streets to demand the right to vote, shorter working hours and better pay. Since then it has taken many forms and today it’s a global event that is supported by lots of charities, NGOs, governments and academic institutions. In some countries March 8 is an official holiday, but in most it’s a normal working day.

How is International Women's Day celebrated around the world?

International Women's Day is an official holiday in at least 20 countries, including: Afghanistan, Cuba, Laos, Russia, and Vietnam. In many of these countries, tradition holds that men honor their mothers, wives, girlfriends, and colleagues with flowers and small presents. In other nations, the day is much like the holiday of Mother's Day, in which children give gifts to their mothers and grandmothers. In other countries, however, like Nepal and China, IWD is a holiday only for women.

What colours signify International Women's Day?

Internationally, purple is a colour for symbolising women. Historically the combination of purple, green and white to symbolise women's equality originated from the Women's Social and Political Union in the UK in 1908. Purple signifies justice and dignity. Green symbolises hope. White represents purity.

Some important Women in our history

Valentina Tereshkova: she was the first woman to go into space. In 1963, she spent almost three days in space and orbited Earth 48 times in her space capsule, Vostok 6.

Marie Curie: this scientists and chemist is remembered for her discovery of radium and polonium, and her huge contribution to finding treatments for cancer.

Queen Elizabeth II: is Head of State of the United Kingdom, Head of the Commonwealth and Supreme Governor of the Church of England.

Her reign began on the 6th February 1952. Queen Elizabeth II is Britain's longest-reigning monarch.

Anne Frank: she became famous for her diary, named "Kitty" in which she wrote the experiences that her family had to overcome during the World War II, during Hitler's dictatorship.

Amelia Earhart: she was the definition of a rule breaker. An American aviator who became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic and the first person ever to fly solo from Hawaii to the US.

Malala Yousafzai: she is a female education activist and blogger. She stands up for women's rights to go to school. She survived a Taliban attack and continued fighting for women's rights to have an education.