(IWD) Â has been celebrated annually on March 8th since it started in 1909 in the United States.
In the early days of IWD the fight was for equality for women, but in more recent years we’ve seen a noticeable shift in equality – we now have female astronauts and prime ministers, school girls are welcomed into university, women can work and have a family, and women have real choices. So IWD has become more about a celebration of the positives, and an awareness of all the great things that women have achieved and are continuing to achieve around the world.
IWD celebrations vary around the world. Some countries mark it with a public holiday, while others treat it like mother’s day where children give small presents to their mothers and grandmothers.
We’ve explored our collection to find images of International Women’s Day from the past 10 years and beyond to showcase what an incredible event it has become.
President George W Bush and First Lady Laura Bush kiss during a celebration of International Women’s Day, 2006
On the eve of March 8 President Vladimir Putin met Russian women, 2007
Women’s rights protest on International Women’s Day, Milan, Italy 2008
The global United Nation theme for International Women’s Day 2009 was ‘Women and men united to end violence against women and girls’. In London the major celebration was ‘Million Women Rise 2009’, a women-only march to end male violence against women
A group of supporters at Millennium Bridge in London for the 100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day, 2010
First Lady Michelle Obama greets guests during the International Women’s Day reception at the White House, 2011
Egyptian women march on International Women’s day outside Parliament demanding a bigger representation in government and the end of military rule. Cairo, Egypt, 2012
Victims of acid attacks attend a seminar in New Delhi, India on International Women’s Day, 2013. The seminar was held to raise a voice against growing crimes against women in the country
International Women’s Day Million Women Rise March in London, 2014
A couple from the archive…
President Klement Gottwald is surrounded by women during International Day of Women celebration at Hradcany castle.Czechoslovakia, Prague, 1951
International Women’s Day Coalition. 5th Ave and 32 Street, NYC, 1975
A demonstration on International Women’s day in Tashkent, Uzbekistan (date unknown)
Did you enjoy reading this blog post? You might also like these…
15 captivating photos of schools around the world
Life in extremes – 15 extreme sports to try in 2015
18 haunting and atmospheric photos of abandoned places