Every year on March 8, the world pauses to recognize the achievements, struggles, and resilience of women. International Women’s Day (IWD) is not just a moment of reflection but a call to action—one rooted in history, ignited by the relentless fight for fair wages, equal opportunities, and fundamental human rights.
A Theme of Urgency: Accelerate Action
The theme for International Women’s Day 2025, “Accelerate Action,” underscores the pressing need for bold, decisive steps to fast-track gender equality. Despite decades of advocacy, progress remains frustratingly slow, and recent crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, have widened existing disparities. This year’s theme demands that governments, corporations, and individuals move beyond rhetoric, turning pledges into tangible reforms—whether through policy changes, economic empowerment, or dismantling systemic barriers that continue to hold women back.
More than ever, inclusivity is at the forefront. “Accelerate Action” recognizes that women’s struggles are not uniform; they are shaped by factors like race, class, and disability. The movement for gender equality must be intersectional, ensuring that every woman—regardless of background—has access to opportunities, safety, and representation.
Read also: NCWS Calls for Gender Equalitty and Economic Empowerment at 2025 International Women’s Day
The Legacy of International Women’s Day: A Fight Born in Fire
International Women’s Day was never meant to be a celebration; it was forged in resistance.
It began in the factories.
In 1908, thousands of women working in harsh, exploitative conditions in New York City took to the streets, demanding better wages, shorter working hours, and voting rights. Their defiance sparked a movement that spread across the world. By 1911, Clara Zetkin proposed a radical idea at a conference in Copenhagen: a day where women globally would unite in the fight for their rights.
The movement gained momentum, and by 1975, the United Nations officially recognized March 8 as International Women’s Day. In 1995, at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, Hillary Clinton declared the now-famous words: “Human rights are women’s rights, and women’s rights are human rights.” The world applauded. The world agreed.
And yet, the world continued to wait.
2025: The Fight Is Far From Over
It is 2025, and women are still waiting.
In Nigeria, a country rich in talent and potential, the gender gap in leadership remains stark. Out of 109 Senate seats, only four are occupied by women. In the House of Representatives, women hold just 15 out of 360 seats. These numbers are more than statistics; they represent locked doors, silent refusals, and systemic barriers that continue to exclude women from decision-making spaces.
Globally, the struggle persists:
In Afghanistan, women have been erased from public life—banned from schools, universities, and workplaces.
In Iran, young girls risk their lives for the right to show their hair.
In the United States, reproductive rights continue to be contested and stripped away.
In boardrooms worldwide, women still battle for equal pay, fair treatment, and a rightful seat at the table.
Every year, we hear the same promises: Women belong in leadership. Women deserve equal pay. Women should live free of violence.
But when does should become will? When does one day become now?
Accelerate Action: The Time Is Now
This year’s message is clear: Enough waiting. Enough empty promises. It is time for action.
For every girl denied an education, for every woman locked out of leadership, for every mother fighting for equal pay—we accelerate action.
For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.
History will not judge us by the promises we make but by the battles women still have to fight. We refuse to wait another century for equality. The time to act is now.
