International Women’s Day - Celebrating Equality, NOT Discrimination

Every year on 8th March, the world comes together to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD). It is a day dedicated to recognising the achievements of women and advocating for gender equality.

While most embrace this occasion as a time for reflection and progress, we often hear negative comments such as the day is discriminatory towards men. This misconception often arises from misunderstandings about the purpose of IWD and the broader movement for gender equality.

What is International Women’s Day?

International Women’s Day has its roots in the early 20th century when women around the world began advocating for better working conditions, voting rights, and equal opportunities.

While we still have a way to go, it is a day to:

• Celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.

• Raise awareness about gender inequalities that still exist today.

• Advocate for policies and changes that promote equal opportunities for all.

IWD is not about diminishing men’s contributions or success. Instead, it is about addressing the historical and systemic disadvantages that have disproportionately affected women.

Why International Women’s Day is not Discriminatory

1. Addressing inequality does not mean oppressing others

Supporting women’s rights does not mean taking rights away from men. IWD is about shining a light on specific challenges that women face and not excluding men from the conversation.

2. Men benefit from gender equality too

When women have equal opportunities, society as a whole thrives. Studies show that gender-equal societies tend to have stronger economies, healthier families and lower levels of violence. Gender equality is not a “women’s issue” but a human rights issue that positively impacts everyone.

3. There is an International Men’s Day

We often hear “why isn’t there an International Men’s Day?”. Well actually, there is - International Men’s Day is celebrated on 19th November each year, focusing on men’s mental health, positive male role models, and issues such as suicide prevention and workplace safety.

Just as IWD highlights challenges specific to women, International Men’s Day addresses issues unique to men, showing that gender advocacy is not a one-way street.

4. Acknowledging historical disparities

Women have historically been excluded from education, leadership roles, and decision-making processes. While progress has been made, gender gaps still exist in pay, political representation, and societal expectations. A day like IWD is a reminder that there is still work to be done to achieve full equality.

How Employers can support International Women’s Day

So even though the narrative can sometimes be seen as divisive, we want everyone to use IWD as an opportunity to support all genders. There are some things employers can consider to celebrate the day and support employees:

• Educate ourselves about gender issues and inequalities. Try running a panel session and hearing from other's experiences.

• Encourage and mentor women in professional spaces. Again, having women only mentoring schemes is not discriminatory but rather helps develop equity in the workplace.

• Create and advocate for policies that promote work-life balance, parental benefits, and equal pay. Gather feedback and ensure you consider all viewpoints.

Conclusion

International Women’s Day is not about putting men down—it’s about lifting everyone up by working toward a fairer, more inclusive world. True equality benefits both men and women, creating workplaces where individuals are valued based on their skills, talents, and contributions, not limited by gender expectations. Instead of seeing IWD as a threat, we should all embrace it as an opportunity for progress, and a better future for all.