According to InStyle, the UN says international women’s day is marked in honour of the 1908 garment workers' strike in New York, where women protested against working conditions.” At the time though, it was observed on 28 February.
When women went on to hold rallies on 8 March in 1914 to protest World War 1 and stand in solidarity with other activists, the date was solidified.
Fittingly, International Women's Day was the day Sky News reported on what they dubbed 'A sad state of affairs', with the #100Women attendees told that true gender equality is still 200 years away.
The theme for International Women's Day 2018 was thus #pressforprogress, with the The Guardian reporting that the ease of sharing stories worldwide means the conversation has shifted over the past century to become more accurate, including demands for an end to violence against women, a continued call for equality in the workplace and more diverse representation in positions of power.
As purple signifies the power of justice and dignity, what better colour for a superhero cape?
I feel offended when someone wishes me Happy Women's Day!!!
— Nupur (@nupurr_singh) March 8, 2018
I am like.. Please don't underestimate me.. I am not a woman..
I am A SUPER WOMAN ✌�� #WomensDay
Pairing purple with yellow is also set to represent a ‘new dawn’, commonly used to signify a second wave of feminism, according to the official International Women’s Day website.
Perhaps serendipitous that the deep purple Ultra Violet is also the Pantone colour of the year, so many of us were already in a ‘purple mindset’.
This isn’t just wishful thinking on my part. Google raised awareness on the day too, with a lovely Google Doodle and also by releasing a short video based on Google Search Trends data, showing that the world is searching for gender equality more than ever before. Little wonder with hashtags like #MeToo and #TimesUp snowballing.
Today's #GoogleDoodle! ��Happy International #WomensDay 2018! Explore stories from women all over the globe in today's #GoogleDoodle and share yours using #HerStoryOurStory!https://t.co/cWJblsOMsL
— Rambling Litchi (@Leigh_Andrews) March 8, 2018
Purple has always been my favourite colour. Now, even more so.
Read more:
Happy International #WomensDay! #TimeIsNow to support each other, believe in each other & encourage each other to speak up for rights & gender equality! https://t.co/Non0GlY9S5 #IWD2018 pic.twitter.com/kJJ0zBF1Oy
— UN Women (@UN_Women) March 8, 2018
No matter where you are, who you are, or how powerful your influence - you can #PressforProgress by taking tangible action to help accelerate women's equality. Start with being inspired by this https://t.co/QkTWSBPgKv for #IWD2018 pic.twitter.com/OobgKpjb8F
— Women's Day (@womensday) March 7, 2018
It’s international women’s day, and for every self-proclaimed victim whining about a lack of equality of outcome in the West, remember the courage and conviction of real feminists fighting real injustice in barbaric societies around the world.
— Candice Malcolm (@CandiceMalcolm) March 8, 2018
God bless these brave women. https://t.co/GAaewRP7LL
International Women's Day: Paris' Eiffel Tower lights up in support of the French movement #MaintenantOnAgit (Now we act). French actresses helped launch this social media hashtag to protest violence against women and push for equality. pic.twitter.com/KbluNuPbEm
— AFP news agency (@AFP) March 8, 2018
LIVE now: special #WomensDay conversation on activism & gender equality with @AntonioGuterres, @UNYouthEnvoy, @MonicaRamirezDC & @Ghida_Fakhry from the UN in NYC.
— United Nations (@UN) March 7, 2018
Take part using #AskIWD and watch here: https://t.co/6dgpjiCXrQ pic.twitter.com/cUdRfaiJS4
