International Women’s Day celebrated today

2026-03-08 - 03:18

International Women’s Day falls today (8 March). For more than a century, 8 March has been celebrated worldwide as a special day dedicated to women. The Origins of International Women’s Day International Women’s Day developed through the labour movement and eventually became an annual observance recognised by the United Nations. Its origins date back to 1908, when around 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter working hours, better pay, and the right to vote. A year later, the first National Women’s Day was declared by the Socialist Party of America. The idea of making the day an international observance was proposed by a woman named Clara Zetkin. She suggested this idea in 1910 at the International Conference of Working Women held in Copenhagen. Around 100 women from 17 countries attended the conference, and her proposal was adopted unanimously. The day was first celebrated in 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. The centenary of International Women’s Day was marked in 2011. In 1975, the United Nations officially recognised the celebration. The first theme introduced by the United Nations for the occasion was: “Celebrating the past, planning for the future.” Why 8 March Was Chosen as International Women’s Day Clara Zetkin’s original proposal for an International Women’s Day did not specify a fixed date. The date became established following a wartime strike by Russian women in 1917 demanding “bread and peace”. Four days after the strike began, the Tsar was forced to abdicate, and the provisional government granted women the right to vote. The strike took place on 23 February according to the Julian calendar used in Russia at the time. In the Gregorian calendar, that date corresponds to 8 March. Women’s Day Celebrated Around the World In many countries, including Russia, International Women’s Day is observed as a national public holiday. As 8 March approaches, flower sales in those countries often increase significantly. In China, many women are granted a half-day holiday on 8 March. In Italy, International Women’s Day is traditionally celebrated by giving mimosa flowers. The exact origin of this custom is unclear, but it is believed to have begun in Rome after the Second World War. In the United States, March is recognised as Women’s History Month. Each year, the President issues a proclamation honouring the achievements of women in the country. “Women United: When She Rises, the Nation Rises” Under the theme “In A Thriving Nation – She Leads With Determination”, the 2026 International Women’s Day celebration will be held today at 10.00 a.m. at the P. D. Sirisena Grounds in Colombo, under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The National Women’s Day celebration organised by the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs will be centred in Matara this year, taking place at the Rabindranath Tagore Hall of the University of Ruhuna and the Matara Beach Park premises. Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya and Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj are expected to attend the International Women’s Day event organised by the National People’s Power. The United Nations has announced this year’s theme as: “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls.” The primary objective of Sri Lanka’s 2026 National Women’s Day celebration is to ensure women’s social, political and economic rights while encouraging their more active participation in the country’s development process. In particular, by organising the event outside Colombo, the organisers aim to create new market opportunities for rural women entrepreneurs, raise awareness to combat violence against women, and recognise women who have made outstanding contributions to society.