International Women’s Day (IWD) March 8, 2026
On Sunday, International Women’s Day celebrates its 115th year. Imagine a gender equal world! A world free of bias, stereotypes, discrimination, war and murder; a world at peace.
Why does International Women’s Day matter? Because we’re not there yet.
In 1908, 15,000 women took to the streets in New York protesting for shorter hours, better pay and voting rights. The first International Women’s Day was held in 1911, and more than a million people turned out to rallies in Europe and North America. Russian women began a strike for "Bread and Peace" in response to the death of over 2 million Russian soldiers in World War 1. The women continued to strike for four days later when the Czar was forced to abdicate and the provisional Government granted women the right to vote.
IWD is a day to recognize how far we’ve come towards gender equality, and also how far we have left to go.
Once women couldn’t vote, now we’re leading countries. Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, Mexico’s first woman president, is such an inspiration with her courageous actions, taking on the cartels and saying no to threats of tariffs and world domination. Currently, there are 32 women heads of state or government leaders of countries. The feminists of the ‘60’s and 70’s, we rebelled against the fact that our career choices were teacher, nurse or homemaker; now we’re running our own businesses businesses. We have female astronauts and women in construction, engineering, manufacturing, technical trades and high-level finance, although our numbers still decline at senior management levels. Remember, behind every successful woman is herself!
Girls are welcomed into university. Women can work while balancing the needs of a family. And so, one day each year the world celebrates women and their achievements.
Progress isn’t linear, it’s often accompanied by a few steps back. As we are currently seeing in the US and other countries, laws and rights are that have been established are ignored and denied, particularly in areas of female healthcare, welfare and education. Despite domestic violence laws and public awareness; in Canada, 1 woman is murdered every other day. USA rates are estimated at 3 women per day. Mexican men are still killing women at the rate of 10 per day.
Why does International Women’s Day matter? Because our rights are not secure.
At the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158, which is roughly five generations from now, (132 years) to reach full gender equality.
On International Women’s Day we remember that as long as one woman faces discrimination, harassment, inequality or oppression, we all do.
We need to remember we’re not alone. And that “Women’s rights are human rights!”
How can we ensure that the future for girls is bright, equal, safe, and rewarding?
We continue calling out stereotypes, challenging discrimination, questioning bias and celebrating women’s successes.
And we give respect, visibility, justice, a voice, protection, truth, mentoring, introductions, opportunities and role models to the girs and young women following.
We celebrate those who came before us, those who stand beside us now, and those who will come after.