Celebrating International Women's Day 2025: An IB Student's Perspective

International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated annually on 8 March, recognising the achievements of women worldwide and the importance of achieving gender equality. It is a significant global event that brings together communities, governments, and organisations to address ongoing challenges and celebrate progress. For IB students, IWD provides an opportunity to explore critical issues related to gender, society, and human rights within their academic subjects.

What is International Women’s Day?

International Women’s Day is a global celebration held on March 8th every year to recognise the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. This day is not only a time to celebrate the progress made by women but also a call to action for accelerating gender equality and empowering women and girls worldwide. Recognised by the United Nations in 1977, International Women’s Day has since become a powerful rallying cry for women’s rights and gender equality. It transcends national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic, and political divisions, uniting people across the globe in the fight for gender parity and the celebration of women’s contributions to society.

International Women’s Day Theme 2025

Each year, IWD has a central theme that guides discussions and initiatives. The theme also aims to raise awareness about gender inequality and inspire action towards achieving gender equality. The theme of International Women’s Day 2025 is “Accelerate Action.” This theme calls for action to unlock equal rights, power, and opportunities for all women and girls. Central to this vision is the empowerment of the next generation, particularly young women and adolescent girls. The United Nations’ theme for International Women’s Day 2025 emphasises the importance of rights, equality, and empowerment for all women and girls, aligning with the broader goal of creating a feminist future where no one is left behind. By focusing on these key areas, we can work towards a more inclusive and equitable world.

IB students can critically analyse these themes within subjects like IB Global Politics, IB Economics, and IB English A, exploring how language, policies, and societal structures shape gender equality. By addressing these themes, we can also highlight the ongoing fight against gender inequality and the need for continued efforts to support women's rights.

Major Celebrations and Activities on International Women’s Day 2025

International Women's Day is marked by various events worldwide, including:

• Marches and Rallies: Advocacy groups and organisations hold protests and demonstrations to demand policy changes all around the world, for instance, in London.
• Educational Seminars and Panel Discussions: Universities and international schools, including some of the Best International Schools in the World, organise talks featuring women leaders, activists, and academics.
• Social Media Campaigns: Hashtags (#AccelerateAction) and digital movements promote awareness and engagement.
• Cultural Performances and Art Exhibitions: Celebrating women’s contributions to literature, music, and the arts.
• Corporate and School Initiatives: Companies and educational institutions host networking events, mentorship programs, and fundraisers for women-focused charities.

These events highlight the significance of International Women's Day as a global call to action for gender equality. For IB students, going online, looking for your local events and participating in these events can enrich their studies in subjects like IB Global Politics, IB Social and Cultural Anthropology, and IB Visual Arts.

Major Initiatives for Advancing Gender Equality in 2025

Governments, NGOs, and corporations launch new initiatives on IWD to advance gender equality. These initiatives are crucial for supporting every woman and ensuring that women's rights are upheld globally. Key initiatives expected in 2025 include:

• Legislative Reforms: Governments such as the UK government is introducing policies addressing gender pay gaps, parental leave, and workplace discrimination.
• STEM Programmes for Girls: Tech companies and universities often launch scholarships and mentorship programs to encourage young women to enter science and technology fields.
• Women’s Health and Well-being Campaigns: Campaigns such as the WHO World Health Day 2025 focus on reproductive rights and access to healthcare services by mothers and their children.
• Funding for Women Entrepreneurs: Grants and investment programmes to support women's entrepreneurship and leadership.

Major Gender Issues and Concerns over Women's Rights

​In 2025, several legislative reforms have been enacted globally to advance women's rights. Meanwhile, some human rights groups have expressed concern over the regression of women's rights protection in the United States. Here are some notable examples:​

1. Bereavement Leave After Miscarriage in the United Kingdom

The British government introduced a law granting parents the right to two weeks of bereavement leave following a miscarriage before 24 weeks of gestation. This legislation extends existing rights that previously applied only to stillbirths or child loss after 24 weeks, acknowledging the profound emotional and physical impacts of early pregnancy loss.

2. Gender Identity Protections in Iowa, USA

Iowa's legislature approved a bill removing gender identity protections from the state's civil rights code, defining gender strictly based on biological sex at birth. This measure has raised concerns among LGBTQ+ advocates about potential discrimination against transgender individuals.

3. Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act in the United States

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the "Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025," which prohibits school athletic programs from allowing individuals whose biological sex at birth was male to participate in programs designated for women or girls.

These notable social issues and developments are great material for discussions, debates and presentations for your IB classes. Unsure how to explore these issues in further depth? Seek help from sources such as your teacher or IB Global Politics Tutors for more.

What IB Students Can Learn from International Women’s Day 2025

IWD presents an opportunity for IB students to apply its themes and discussions to their coursework. By engaging with the themes of International Women's Day, students can gain a deeper understanding of the importance of gender equality and women's rights, particularly in the following subjects:

IB Global Politics:

• Analyse how different governments address gender equality through policies and initiatives.
• Debate the role of international organisations like the UN in promoting women’s rights.
• Examine the impact of feminist movements in different regions.
• Evaluate the role of Identity and Gender in Global Politics

IB English A: Individual Oral (IO):

• Explore how literature represents gender roles and women’s empowerment.
• Analyse speeches, essays, and poems by feminist authors.
• Discuss how media narratives shape perceptions of women.

If you want to know more about how to prepare for the IO, check out our IB English A: Internal Oral Guidance (2025).

IB History:

• Investigate key moments in women’s rights movements, such as suffrage movements and feminist waves.
• Examine case studies of female leaders and their contributions to political and social change, such as Women's Roles in Wars.

If you want to explore more about women's role in history, check out our IB History HL Notes for more. If you want help on IB History in general, consult our IB History Tutors.

IB Economics:

• Study gender disparities in income, employment, and economic opportunities, for example, How does Gender Inequality Affect Women's Participation in the Workforce?
• Evaluate the effectiveness of policies promoting financial inclusion for women.

If you want to explore more about women's role in history, check out our IB Economics HL Notes for more. If you want help on IB History in general, consult our IB Economics Tutors.

IB Theory of Knowledge (TOK):

• Discuss knowledge questions related to gender bias in history, science, and education.
• Reflect on how language influences societal perceptions of gender roles.

If you want more guidance on TOK in general, check out our IB TOK: A Complete Guide (2025).

Other Relevant Aspects of International Women’s Day

Here are a few more directions to take your thinking one step ahead of the curve:

Intersectionality and Women’s Rights:

• Recognising how race, class, and disability intersect with gender issues. Understanding these intersections is crucial for achieving gender equality and ensuring that all women are supported.
• Understanding diverse feminist perspectives from different cultures.

The Role of Men in Gender Equality:

• Encouraging male allies to advocate for gender justice.
• Examining how masculinity norms impact both men and women.

These are great starting points to open a discussion on feminism and gender equality in the modern age.

Conclusion

International Women’s Day 2025 is not just a day of celebration but also a time for critical reflection and action. IB students can engage with its themes through their academic subjects, discussions, and personal reflections. By connecting IWD to their studies, students can develop a deeper understanding of gender equality and its role in shaping societies globally.