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:
The theme of International Women’s Day 2025 is ‘Accelerate Action’. Collectively, we can Accelerate Action for gender equality. At the current rate of progress, it will take 134 years, roughly five generations from now, to reach full gender parity in 2158, according to data from the World Economic Forum.
Focusing on the need to Accelerate Action emphasises the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality. It calls for increased momentum and urgency in addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face, both in personal and professional spheres.
So, together, let’s Accelerate Action and speed up the rate of progress worldwide.
2024: #InspireInclusion
2023: Embrace Equity
2022: #BreakTheBias.
2021: Choose To Challenge
2020 – “I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights”
2019 – Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change
2018 – Time is Now: Rural and urban activists transforming women’s lives
2017 – Women in the Changing World of Work: Planet 50-50 by 2030
2016 – Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality
2015 – Empowering Women, Empowering Humanity: Picture it!
2014 – Equality for Women is Progress for All
2013 – A Promise is a Promise: Time for Action to End Violence Against Women
2012 – Empower Rural Women, End Poverty and Hunger
2011 – Equal Access to Education, Training, and Science and Technology: Pathway to Decent Work for Women
2010 – Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities: Progress for All
2009 – Women and Men United to End Violence Against Women and Girls
2008 – Investing in Women and Girls
2007 – Ending Impunity for Violence Against Women and Girls
2006 – Women in Decision-making
2005 – Gender Equality Beyond 2005; Building a More Secure Future
2004 – Women and HIV/AIDS
2003 – Gender Equality and the Millennium Development Goals
2002 – Afghan Women Today: Realities and Opportunities
2001 – Women and Peace: Women Managing Conflicts
2000 – Women Uniting for Peace
1999 – World Free of Violence Against Women
1998 – Women and Human Rights
1997 – Women and the Peace Table
1996 – Celebrating the Past, Planning for the Future
