National Women’s Day
August 9, 2025-August 9, 2025 -
USA, USA
Women have experienced gender oppression throughout the world at different periods of time throughout history. In modern times, the fight against the oppression of women has been going on for more than a century.
The first recorded celebration of “Women’s Day” in the United States took place in 1908 in Chicago, Illinois and New York City. By 1911, when International Women’s Day was celebrated, it drew more than 1 million people to rallies all over the world.
While the rights of women have suffered all over the world, women in South Africa have fought for more freedoms, especially during Apartheid. Gender discrimination was extremely present under these laws, particularly for black women.
August 9, 1956 saw a protest march in Pretoria, South Africa, with more than 20,000 women of various races marching for rights and against the unfair rule of South Africa’s Apartheid government. The march consisted of delivering more than 14000 petitions to the government buildings, as well as a 30 minute protest where the women stood in silence.
Almost 20 years later, the United Nations got on board with the need for a celebration and advocacy for women, declaring the first UN supported International Women’s Day in 1975. By 1977, the United Nations General Assembly encouraged member states to celebrate Women’s Day in March as a day to advocate for women’s rights as well as for world peace.
South Africa declared its first National Women’s Day in 1995, almost 40 years following the Women’s March on Pretoria. Here, it is celebrated on August 9 as a nod to that original 1956 march.
09 Aug 25
00:00 - 23:59
National Women’s Day
