International Women’s Day 2025 is set to be celebrated on March 8 under the theme “For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.” This year, the focus shifts from mere commitment to concrete action, calling for the unlocking of equal rights, power, and opportunities for all women. The mission, championed by UN Women, is about creating a feminist future where no one is left behind, particularly empowering young women and girls as pivotal agents of change.
The significance of International Women’s Day reaches new heights this year as it commemorates the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which established goals for achieving gender equality. This occasion is not just about celebrating achievements but recognizing persistent challenges women face globally, from economic disparity to political underrepresentation.
Research shows encouraging progress: For 89 percent of governments, ending violence against women remains a top priority, with 193 nations having legal measures against it. Countries boasting domestic violence laws have reported declines in instances of abuse. More significantly, there is near parity achieved globally in education, paving the way for gender-diverse contributions to science and technology.
This year will also witness numerous global initiatives aimed at aligning efforts across borders to promote women’s rights. The Global Digital Compact aims to broaden technology access for all, especially focusing on supporting women’s organizations dedicated to violence prevention and empowerment.
On the local level, the government of Telangana, India, is ramping up its efforts to empower women through strategic initiatives. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, during celebrations planned for March 8, will introduce flagship programs such as providing subsidized autorickshaws for women who have undergone driving training. This move aims to bolster women's mobility and economic independence, offering practical pathways toward empowerment.
Accompanying this initiative is the ambitious 'Indira Mahila Shakti-2025' policy introduced by Minister Danasari Anasuya (Seethakka), aimed at enhancing women's roles and ensuring their contributions to Telangana's economy are recognized and celebrated. Clear demonstrations of this commitment include the signing of agreements enabling women’s self-help groups to lease buses alongside the inauguration of solar power projects managed by women across all 32 districts of the state.
Revanth Reddy's initiatives will not only promote women's mobility through transport solutions but aim also to usher financial security by disbursing accident insurance cheques totalling ₹40 crore to families of 400 self-help group members who have suffered accidents, reinforcing social safety nets.
The government is also initiating recruitment for 14,000 positions for Anganwadi teachers and helpers, asserting its policy to strengthen support systems for women and children alike. This recruitment drive is poised to offer more than just employment; it signifies honed attention to the education and welfare of future generations.
It doesn’t stop there; the expansion of petrol stations operated by women's groups sets the stage for economic empowerment and encourages women’s contributions to the business sector. Partnerships with major oil companies such as BPCL, HPCL, and IOCL are pivotal here, replicable across various districts. Such initiatives echo broader global calls for gender equality and elevated women’s representation across economic landscapes.
Feedback from the international community emphasizes the urgent need to invest substantively in women’s rights organizations. Actions such as promoting improved pay and safe working conditions for caregivers, and engaging more women in peace processes, are now widely acknowledged as paths toward gender equality.
Yet, as we celebrate the day, it is equally important to reflect on the historical roots of International Women’s Day. Origin dating back to labor movements fighting for rights and equality, IWD was formally recognized by the UN in 1975, and its continuous evolution reflects the growing urgency for women’s rights and empowerment.
Today, the day acts as both celebration and call to action, uniting women globally to address insufficient progress against economic inequality, political underrepresentation, and gender-based violence. Above all, it emphasizes the importance of solidarity, fostering discussions on the policies and social norms impacting women’s lives.
Despite significant gains, International Women’s Day 2025 is not just about honoring achievements; it is about renewing commitments to address the challenges still faced. Momentum generated during the events surrounding this day is expected to extend beyond celebrations, with sustained advocacy for gender equality being more urgent than ever.
From global initiatives championed by organizations like UN Women to local actions taken by governments, the ripple effect of International Women’s Day this year is poised to resonate far beyond March 8, pushing the envelope on achieving true equality and dignity for all women and girls.