The History of International Women's Day, Begun Over a Century Ago

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia — International Women’s Day, observed every 8 March, serves as a reminder of the long struggle women have waged to secure their rights across many countries.

More than a celebration, the momentum also provides an occasion to reflect on the achievements made and to push for tangible steps toward equality.

The issue of gender equality is itself one of the key pillars of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In January 2025, UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated that the world must fight inequality by expanding opportunities for women and girls.

So how meaningful is this observance in your life? According to Beautynesia, here is a summary of International Women’s Day.

The History of International Women’s Day

If you think this observance is recent, its roots go back more than a century. It began with National Women’s Day in the United States in February 1909, which inspired a broader movement.

A year later, in Copenhagen, women’s rights activist Clara Zetkin proposed an international day to advocate for equal rights. International Women’s Day was first observed in March 1911, and since 1913 March 8 has been officially designated as the day.

On 8 March 1914, a procession for women’s suffrage was held in London, and activist Sylvia Pankhurst was even arrested during the action. The United Nations began to celebrate the day in 1975, and in 1996 it established the first annual theme, ‘Celebrating the Past, Planning for the Future’.

During the centenary celebration in 2011, U.S. President Barack Obama reiterated the importance of March as Women’s History Month. He stated that when women and girls have access to opportunity, societies are more just, economies more prosperous, and governments better able to serve everyone.

What is the current state of gender equality?

Having learnt the history, let us now look at the reality. UN Women, together with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, released the Gender Snapshot 2024 report, which shows that not a single SDG indicator on gender equality has been fully achieved.

There has been progress—for instance, the share of women and girls living in extreme poverty has fallen below 10%. However, to eliminate poverty entirely, the world still needs around 137 years.

That figure certainly makes us pause and think.

The World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap 2024 report likewise finds that meaningful progress remains limited across many countries. Of the 146 countries measured across four core dimensions—economic participation, education, health, and political empowerment—none has achieved full equality.

As many as 97% of countries have closed more than 60% of the gap, compared with 85% in 2006. However, the largest gap remains in politics, with only 22.8% of the gap closed, and it is estimated to take 169 years to close.

So, if you feel the struggle is still long, the data indeed suggest as much.

What can be done to close the gender gap?

This year marks 31 years since the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action adopted by 189 countries in 1995. This document remains the blueprint for the rights of women and girls and continues to guide global policy to this day.

The UN calls on governments to act boldly and decisively for all women and girls. To achieve gender equality by 2030, annual investments of US$360 billion are required. Conversely, failure to close the gap would cost the global economy trillions of dollars.

In addition to funding, strong leadership is needed from governments, the business sector, and civil society. The World Economic Forum launched the Global Gender Parity Sprint 2030 in 2024 in Davos to accelerate gender economic parity within the next four years.

This programme promotes tangible action through increased visibility, equal pay policies, women’s leadership opportunities, and support in the technology, green, and care sectors. The accelerator operating in 17 countries has helped more than one million women access economic opportunities, and in 2024 the action plan was also launched in Ecuador, Honduras, and Guatemala.

In other words, change is indeed possible if all parties move together.

International Women’s Day is not just a moment to post inspirational quotes or photos in purple hues. It is a reminder that gender equality requires consistency, real policy, and cross-generational support.

For Gen Z women, this momentum feels increasingly relevant because the future is in your hands. So as International Women’s Day is observed again on 8 March, may it be more than ceremony and serve as a reminder that your voice, choices, and actions today help shape the world of tomorrow.