International Women’s Day on 8th March 2018- Themes, History, Purpose

The International Women’s Day (IWD) is marked every year on 8th March across the world with an aim to support or encourage the movement for women rights worldwide.

The UN theme for the International Women’s Day-2018 is kept separately "Time Is Now: Rural and Urban Activists Transforming Women’s Lives ".

However, the Theme for the International Women’s Day-2018 is 'Press for Progress' which is supposed to be a call for people to press forward without complacency, and make positive changes and move towards equality.

The International Women’s Day was first held as ‘National Women’s Day’ on 28th February 1909 in New York. Later in the year 1910, the International Woman's Conference was held as "International Woman's Day." After women gained franchise in Soviet Russia in 1917, March 8 became a national holiday there.

The International Women’s Day was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1975 in accordance to celebrate the day by the socialist movement and communist countries.

The International Women’s Day is also known as the United Nations (UN) Day for Women's Rights and International Peace.

The International Women’s Day is celebrated by noticing and appreciating women’s economic, social, and political achievements, it is a day for us to celebrate the special women in our lives with flowers and small gifts.

On International Women’s Day, many countries across the globe declare a public holiday while other celebrates its significance with functions and events to honor women’s rights.

In India, Telangana State Government has declared a special casual leave to all the women employees in the state on March 8th, 2018, on the occasion of International Women’s Day.