When is International Women's Day in 2026, when will it be celebrated in India, what is this year's theme and more?

International Women's Day is celebrated on March 8, every year across India and the world. International Women's Day is marked worldwide on March 8 to honour the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. International Women’s Day is celebrated to recognise and honour the achievements of women and girls across all areas of life, including the workplace, education, politics, science, and culture. The day highlights the remarkable contributions women have made to society while acknowledging the progress achieved over the years.

When is International Women's Day 2026?

Women's Day will be observed on March 8 and every year it is observed on the same day.

When is Women's Day in India?

In India, too, International Women's Day will be observed on March 8.

What is Women's Day 2026 theme?

The United Nations has announced the official theme for 2026 as "Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls." Apart from this, the 2026 theme for International Women's Day also focuses on 'Give to Gain', highlighting the importance of generosity and collaboration in building a more equal and supportive society for women and girls.

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What does the theme mean?

The IWD 2026 'Give to Gain' theme promotes giving and teamwork. The campaign was started with the principles of collaboration, generosity, and gender equality. "Give to Gain" also highlights how empowering women promotes wealth for all. Communities as a whole become stronger when women achieve success in education, leadership, entrepreneurship, science, the arts, and politics.

Why is Women's Day celebrated on March 8?

March 8 is not just a date on the calendar. International Women’s Day represents a powerful history of protest, resilience, and social change. While it is widely celebrated today, the day has deep roots in labour movements and political struggles led by women demanding equality and rights.

The origins of the day go back more than a century.

1908: Around 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter working hours, better pay, and voting rights. The protest highlighted the growing demand for improved working conditions and political representation for women.

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1910: At the International Socialist Women’s Conference in Copenhagen, German activist Clara Zetkin proposed the idea of an international day dedicated to women’s rights. More than 100 women from 17 countries supported the proposal unanimously.

1917: During World War I, women in Russia organised a strike demanding “Bread and Peace” to protest food shortages and the war. The strike began on March 8 and eventually led to the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II and women gaining the right to vote.

The day gained global recognition when the United Nations officially marked International Women’s Day in 1975. Since then, March 8 has been celebrated worldwide and is even observed as a public holiday in several countries.