International Women's Day Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids International Women's Day
German poster for International Women's Day, March 8, 1914 This poster was banned in Germany.
Observed by	Worldwide
Type	International
Significance	Civil awareness day Women and girls day Anti-sexism day Anti-Discrimination Day
Date	March 8
Next time	March 8, 2026 (2026-03-08)
Frequency	Annual
Related to	Russian Revolution Children's Day International Men's Day International Workers' Day

International Women's Day is a special day celebrated every year on March 8. It's a time to celebrate women and girls around the world. This day also helps everyone think about how to make things fairer for women.

The idea for International Women's Day started in the United States in 1909. Later, countries like the Soviet Union, China, and Cuba began celebrating it. They saw it as a day to focus on women's rights and world peace. Over time, more and more countries joined in.

How People Celebrate International Women's Day
The United Nations and Women's Rights
Where is International Women's Day a Holiday?
Images for kids
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How People Celebrate International Women's Day

In many places, International Women's Day is a happy celebration. It's a bit like a mix of Mother's Day and Valentine's Day. Men often give flowers and small gifts to their mothers, wives, girlfriends, or co-workers.

In some countries, children give gifts to their mothers and grandmothers. It's a way to show love and thanks. Sometimes, women even get a half-day off from work. Schools might also have special events to honor their female teachers.

The United Nations and Women's Rights

In 1975, the United Nations (UN) officially recognized International Women's Day. The UN is an organization that works for peace and cooperation worldwide. Each year, the UN chooses a special theme for the day. This theme often focuses on important social or political issues that affect women.

For example, in 2011, the theme was "Equal access to education, training and science and technology: Pathway to decent work for women." This means the day is also a chance to talk about challenges women face. It helps people think about how to improve women's lives around the world. This includes their rights and opportunities.

Where is International Women's Day a Holiday?

International Women's Day is an official holiday in many countries. This means people might have the day off work or school. Some of these countries include: