” Why We Celebrate Women’s Day”?
The origin of International Women’s Day (IWD) is drawn from more than one historical event and began as an acknowledgement of women’s struggle to make their workplaces better. Created out of protest and political action, it is a symbol for all those who honour women’s struggles to improve their lives.
The March 8, 1857 Strike: A Bold Stand for Change
The female workers of New York City, working long hours under harsh and often dangerous conditions, were driven to action when they began demanding better wages, shorter work hours, and improved working conditions.
In the mid-19th century, the textile industry was booming in America, but workers, especially women, were often subjected to grueling labor with little regard for their well-being.
Women were paid a fraction of what their male counterparts earned, and many faced dangerous, unsanitary, and unhealthy conditions in factories where they worked.
On that fateful day in 1857, thousands of women took to the streets, marching with solidarity and purpose.
Their chants, demanding justice and better treatment, echoed through the city, laying the groundwork for future labor strikes and political movements.
Their courage to stand up against the oppressive system was not only a moment of rebellion but also an assertion of their agency and right to be treated with dignity and respect.
While the strike did not achieve immediate success, it ignited a spark that would be carried forward by successive generations of women and labor activists.
The Struggle Continues: Gender Equality and Worker’s Rights Today
The movement for better working conditions for women continued to grow throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, culminating in groundbreaking changes such as labour laws, union protections, and, eventually, gender equality initiatives.
The legacy of the 1857 textile strike, and the women who participated in it, continues to resonate in today’s ongoing fight for gender equality and labour rights. While much progress has been made over the years, issues like the gender pay gap, workplace harassment, and unsafe working conditions remain a significant challenge for many women, particularly in industries like manufacturing, hospitality, and agriculture.
Moreover, the rise of the gig economy and precarious employment has introduced new vulnerabilities for women, who often occupy these roles.
The fight for affordable healthcare, paid family leave, and equal pay for equal work is far from over.
On March 8, 2025, as we celebrate International Women’s Day, it’s vital to remember the women who, on that cold March day in 1857, began a wave of change that continues to reverberate across the globe.
Their courageous actions laid the foundation for the labor and feminist movements that followed, and their struggle serves as a reminder that gender equality and worker’s rights are inextricably linked.