All you need to know about International Women’s Day

It’s a day to acknowledge the incredible achievements of women and to shine a light on the progress yet to be made.

The girls of today will become the women of tomorrow, and as the charity for girls’ equality, this International Women’s Day, Plan International Australia is raising awareness about the importance of education to provide girls with opportunities that shape their futures to become the women they want to be.

Because education is everything.

What is International Women’s Day?

International Women’s Day is celebrated on 8 March every year and is a focal point for the movement of women’s rights.

It’s a global day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women in all of their diversities. It’s also a day to raise awareness about the inequalities girls and women face around the world. As much as it’s a day for celebration, it is also a day of action – one where as a global community we can come together to advocate for gender parity.

The theme for International Women’s Day 2021 is ‘Choose To Challenge’. The aim of this year’s theme is to recognise that when we are challenged, we are alerted to injustices and inequality. And from challenge comes change.

This year, the call to action for International Women’s Day is everyone must #ChooseToChallenge.

How did International Women’s Day begin?

The history of International Women’s Day is extensive and inspiring.

The earliest celebration of International Women’s Day as an official day was in 1911 – over a century ago! It was marked for the first time by more than one million people in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. The day was created following women protesting and advocating for the right to vote and to hold public office.

Today, it is a global moment where people around the world – men, women, girls, boys and everyone in their diversities – come together and push for change and for a more equal world.

How can I support International Women’s Day?

There are plenty of ways to support International Women’s Day – for 2021 and into the future!

To mark #IWD2021, Plan International Australia is raising awareness about the importance of girls’ education and its power to make our world the equal one we all dream of.

With more than 130 million girls around the world denied their right to an education – we’re also shining a light on the many barriers that they face in accessing quality education.

The pandemic is only making these barriers harder to break down. Supporting girls to stay in school has never been more important. We cannot afford to lose this generation of girls and the potential they hold. Because education is the key that unlocks this better world.

Although International Women’s Day might just be one day, ultimately every day is a day where we can challenge gender norms, advocate for equality and work to support everyone to be free of the barriers holding them back.

For millions of girls, education is a lifeline – a connection to safety and survival.

Help us drive long-term change for girls and their entire communities by joining Change for Girls and support our work with parents and communities to raise awareness about the importance of girls’ education. We address issues such as violence, child marriage and early pregnancy that can prevent girls from finishing their education.