International Women’s Day (IWD) will be observed globally on Sunday, March 8, 2026. This year, the United Nations has designated the official theme as "Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls." The 2026 observance focuses on dismantling structural barriers to equal justice, including discriminatory laws and weak legal protections that continue to disadvantage women worldwide. According to UN data, women currently hold only 64% of the legal rights that men do, a gap that experts estimate could take nearly three centuries to close at the current rate of progress.

Women’s Day 2026 Theme: Rights, Justice and Action

The UN theme for 2026 emphasizes that rights are merely "promises on paper" without effective justice systems to enforce them. The campaign aims to highlight the need for survivors-centered justice, equal pay legislation, and increased representation of women in political and judicial leadership.

Additionally, the global International Women's Day campaign has introduced a secondary theme, "Give to Gain," which encourages a mindset of reciprocity. This initiative calls on individuals and organizations to "give" support, mentorship, and resources to help women "gain" parity, underscoring that societal progress multiplies when women are empowered.

Women’s Day History and Origins

The roots of International Women's Day date back to the early 20th century, emerging from labor movements in North America and Europe. In 1908, 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter hours, better pay, and voting rights.

The first official International Women's Day was marked in 1911 across several European nations. However, it was the 1917 strike by Russian women for "Bread and Peace", which began on March 8 (Gregorian calendar), that eventually solidified the date. The United Nations formally recognized the day in 1975, transforming it into a global platform for advocacy.

How to Celebrate Women’s Day in 2026

Celebrations for 2026 are moving toward "action-oriented" participation rather than symbolic gestures. Recommended ways to observe the day include:

  • Strike the "Give to Gain" Pose: The official campaign encourages supporters to take photos with cupped hands out front, signifying the act of giving and receiving, and share them with the hashtag #GiveToGain.

  • Support Women-Owned Businesses: Intentionally shift spending toward brands founded and led by women.

  • Educational Workshops: Many organizations are hosting sessions on financial literacy, leadership, and digital safety for women.

  • Community Fundraising: Donating to nonprofits that provide legal aid or health services to women aligns with this year’s "Justice" theme.

Significance of International Women’s Day

International Women's Day serves as both a celebration of achievements and a call to action. It remains a critical checkpoint for tracking the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5, which aims to achieve gender equality by 2030.

The day is symbolically represented by the colour purple, which signifies justice and dignity. Green (hope) and white (purity) are also traditionally used, originating from the Women's Social and Political Union in the UK.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 25, 2026 11:53 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).