8 ways International Women’s Day is marked around the world

Originally championed and founded by women, International Women’s Day is a global day to celebrate the ladies across the globe. Held annually on March 8th, International Women’s Day grows every year, as women around the world are recognized and celebrated. But how did it begin?

The beginnings of International Women’s Day

In February 1909, the foundations of International Women’s Day were laid in the form of a “Women’s Day” held in response to a large-scale New York City garment workers’ strike for better pay, shorter hours, improved working conditions, and voting rights.

Originally a national day marked in the USA, the idea quickly turned international. It was first adopted by European countries after, at the International Conference of Working Women in Denmark in 1910, German socialist Clara Zetkin proposed the idea of a permanent day in the calendar year during which women could make their voices heard.

The first international day was celebrated in 1911, though the March 8 date we know would not be set until during World War I. Celebrated and formalized by the United Nations in 1975, each year the UN now adopts a theme as a way to highlight a specific issue and focus attention.

How International Women’s Day is celebrated around the world

International Women’s Day is an official holiday in a number of countries and widely observed in many more. Depending on where you are, celebrations range from the giving and receiving of flowers and gifts to peaceful manifestations on the streets of large cities.

1. Italy

On March 8 women are traditionally given bunches of small yellow mimosas; the chosen symbol of International Women’s Day in this country. Also seen to symbolize female strength, it’s common for women to pass springs of mimosas to each other as a sign of female solidarity.

Being a country where cooking is an art, you’ll find cakes and pasta created with vibrant yellow colours to resemble the flower!

2. Romania

In Romania, International Women’s Day is celebrated at the same time with Mother’s Day, providing a reason for people, particularly men, to recognize their loved ones, as well as mothers, grandmothers, and friends by giving them cards and flowers.

3. United States

International Women’s Day is not an official holiday in the United States, though the month of March is known as Women’s History Month; a period of time to call attention to women’s achievements throughout history both past and contemporary. On March 8th itself, capital cities host rallies, conferences, and business events bringing together conversation and thought leadership around the topic.

4. Russia

The date has been an official national public holiday in Russia since 1918. Here, men are recognizing women through gift-giving.

5. China

While Girl’s Day is March 7 in China, the country has recognized International Women’s Day since 1949. On March 8th employers are encouraged – though not obliged – to give their female staff a half-day off. However, there’s also a strongly-rooted commercial side to the day, in which men are encouraged to purchase presents for the women in their lives.

6. Australia

Australians have marked International Women’s Day for decades, though marches have become particularly widespread since the early 1970s. The day itself plays out across the country with a variety of panel discussions, breakfasts, and events featuring prominent women in their fields speaking publicly.

7. Spain

After the unexpectedly large-scale success of the general strike in Spain in 2018 in which more than 5 million people walked out for 24 hours, the country continues to take to the streets. While a mass strike is not necessarily the focus of future International Women’s Days, the Spanish people are clear in their aim to increasingly focus on rights for women and girls.

8. United Kingdom

Held over three days in London, including International Women’s Day, the Women of the World festival features speakers, activists, and performers who come together to tackle the issues facing women globally.

 

yogaesoteric
March 8, 2026

 

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