8 March
International
Women's Day

8 March – International Women's Day

International Women’s Day is a day dedicated to women's equality and human rights. It was established before the First World War at the initiative of socialist organisations. The day highlights issues such as gender equality, civil liberties, and the prevention of violence and abuse against women.

The earliest known Women’s Day was organised by the Socialist Party of America in New York on 28 February 1909. Following the Russian Revolution of 1917, the Bolsheviks began to mark the occasion on 8 March, and in 1922, Lenin declared it International Women’s Day in honour of women's role in the revolution. After the rise of Soviet influence, countries of the Eastern Bloc, including Hungary (since 1948), adopted this date for the observance.

The day became a global celebration following a 1977 United Nations resolution, which invited all member states to mark a day in recognition of women’s rights. Today, it is one of more than 160 international days recognised or established by the UN.

Originally rooted in the labour and feminist movements, the day began as a day of protest advocating for women’s equality and labour rights. In 1857, 40,000 textile and garment workers in New York went on strike to demand equal pay and shorter working hours. Today, civil society groups around the world use this day to speak out against violence against women, including domestic violence, workplace sexual harassment, prostitution, and other forms of gender-based violence.