In 1977, the United Nations declared 8th March as International Women’s Day, a day each year when the world should celebrate, recognize and remember women and the accomplishments they have made to society. Since 1996, each year has a theme:
1996 – Celebrating the Past, Planning for the Future
1997 – Women and the Peace Table
1998 – Women and Human Rights
1999 – World Free of Violence Against Women
2000 – Women Uniting for Peace
2001 – Women and Peace: Women Managing Conflicts
2002 – Afghan Women Today: Realities and Opportunities
2003 – Gender Equality and the Millennium Development Goals
2004 – Women and HIV/AIDS
2005 – Gender Equality Beyond 2005; Building a More Secure Future
2006 – Women in Decision-making
2007 – Ending Impunity for Violence Against Women and Girls
2008 – Investing in Women and Girls
2009 – Women and Men United to End Violence Against Women and Girls
2010 – Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities: Progress for All
2011 – Equal Access to Education, Training, and Science and Technology: Pathway to Decent Work for Women
2012 – Empower Rural Women, End Poverty and Hunger
2013 – A Promise is a Promise: Time for Action to End Violence Against Women
2014 – Equality for Women is Progress for All
2015 – Empowering Women, Empowering Humanity: Picture it!
2016 – Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality
2017 – Women in the Changing World of Work: Planet 50-50 by 2030
2018 – Time is Now: Rural and urban activists transforming women’s lives
2019 – Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change
2020 – “I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights”
