International Women's Day: What does it mean?

By Ehimetalor Akhere Unuabona via Unsplash

By Zuzanna Spiewak

With International Women’s Day (IWD) being this Saturday, here’s why this day is needed now more than ever. 

This year’s IWD theme is “Accelerated Change.” Despite the effort put into combatting the inequalities women face, progress has been slower than it should be. To accelerate action means to implement meaningful changes as quickly and effectively as possible. 

According to a study by the World Economic Forum, it will take until the year 2158, five generations from now, for women to truly have equal rights. IWD is needed to raise awareness to issues like these. 

Raising awareness is also one of the best things people can do to combat these issues. Whether it is educating others and sharing your knowledge about the injustice's women face, or supporting organisations that help creating an inclusive world for us to live in.  

One of the largest issues that IWD tries to combat is domestic abuse. 

According to the Office of National Statistics, domestic abuse rates have been gradually increasing, with there being a notable increase during COVID.  

In March 2023, 84% of victims in domestic abuse cases were female. As of September 2024, Police Scotland issued a statement stating that there was a nearly 10% increase in domestic abuse rates. 

It is movements such as these that help encourages victims of domestic abuse to speak up about their experiences. 

The campaign encourages people to step forward, engage and talk about what they have experienced and what can be done to change it. It helps empower people that help work towards gender equality. 

This day is not only about what we must change, but it is also about celebrating the changes we have made.