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Every year on 8 March, the world recognises International Women’s Day, a global celebration of the role and rights of women. For more than a century, governments and organisations around the world have marked the occasion, highlighting the achievements of women and acknowledging the ongoing struggle for gender equality. Despite progress, many women continue to face discrimination in various forms, with gender inequality persisting in many countries.
The Origins of International Women’s Day
The history of International Women’s Day dates back over 100 years, to its first celebration in 1911. The day was inspired by the tireless work of thousands of suffragists who campaigned for women’s rights, particularly the right to vote. The United Nations officially recognised International Women’s Day in 1977, and some countries, including China, Russia, and Uganda, observe it as a public holiday.
However, the fight for women’s rights began long before the establishment of International Women’s Day. For example, in the UK, women gained the right to vote only after the suffragette movement of the early 20th century, a pivotal moment in the long battle for gender equality.
The Struggle for Women’s Rights
For centuries, women have faced discrimination across societies worldwide. In ancient Rome, laws designed by men denied women a public voice and any role in public life. Similarly, Confucian philosophy in China suggested that women were of lesser status than men, as exemplified in the words of the 3rd-century writer Fu Xuan, who lamented, “How sad it is to be a woman! Nothing on earth is held so cheap.”
This gender inequality persisted well into the 19th century, when an unlikely event—a simple afternoon tea—helped spark a revolution.
The Birth of the Women’s Rights Movement
The modern women’s rights movement began in the United States in 1848, when American rights activist Elizabeth Cady Stanton organised the first Women’s Rights Convention in New York. Stanton called for legal changes to ensure that women had an equal place in society, including the right to vote and control over their money and property. Her advocacy led to significant legal reforms in the US.
In 1869, the National Woman Suffrage Association was established in the US, with the primary goal of securing voting rights for women. This wave of suffrage movements spread across the globe, culminating in the formation of the International Women’s Council in 1888, which sought to promote human rights and equality for women.
How World War One Changed Everything
The suffrage movements in the UK played a significant role in advancing women’s rights, with women challenging societal norms in their quest for equality. At the time, many believed, including Queen Victoria, that a woman’s place was at home, and women had few legal rights, particularly once married. However, the outbreak of World War One shifted public perceptions of women.
With millions of men fighting abroad, women stepped into roles traditionally held by men, taking on essential work in factories, hospitals, and offices. Their contributions during the war were crucial in changing the public’s view of women’s capabilities.
On 6 February 1918, a landmark piece of legislation, the Representation of the People Act, was passed in the UK. For the first time, women were granted the right to vote. This important law recognised the significant role women had played during the war and marked the beginning of a new chapter in the fight for gender equality.
The Continuing Fight for Equality
The passage of the 1918 Act was a significant victory, but it was just the first step in a much longer journey toward equality. The fight for women’s rights continues today, with many women around the world still facing challenges related to gender discrimination, violence, and inequality. International Women’s Day serves as both a celebration of the progress made and a reminder of the ongoing struggles that women face across the globe.
As we mark this important day, it is crucial to remember the women who fought for the rights we often take for granted today and to continue the fight for those who are still working towards their basic human rights.
Courtesy: BBC
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BNM Protest Outside Downing Street Demand Justice for Disappeared Baloch Women | London 2026
The demonstration condemned Pakistan’s alleged state-led abductions in Balochistan, which protesters described as serious violations of human rights and international law. Participants urged the British government, United Nations, and international human rights organisations to take immediate action and hold those responsible accountable.
London-based Baloch political activist and journalist Aomar Karim participated in the protest, showing solidarity with the families of missing Baloch women. He called on the international community and human rights defenders to raise their voices for Balochistan and to break the silence surrounding enforced disappearances.
By gathering at the heart of British democracy, protesters demanded international intervention to end enforced disappearances and state violence in Balochistan.
Read News: Protest Held Outside Downing Street as Activists Demand Action Over Disappearance of Baloch Women https://aomarkarim.com/protest-held-outside-downing-street-as-activists-demand-action-over-disappearance-of-baloch-women/
📍 Location: 10 Downing Street, London
📅 Date: Sunday, 4 January 2026
✊ Organised by: Baloch National Movement (BNM)
#BNMProtest #Balochistan #HumanRights #BalochWomen #EnforcedDisappearances #10DowningStreet #AomarKarim #BalochActivism #JusticeForBalochWomen #LondonProtest #InternationalHumanRights
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