Every year on March 8th, the world comes together to celebrate International Women’s Day, but many remain unaware of the history and importance of this day. The first International Women’s Day was celebrated in 1911, which focused on voting rights and better working conditions for women. We celebrate it even today because the fight for true equality isn’t over.

Women have faced significant oppression throughout history. Yet they rose up against their circumstances, becoming agents of change and fighting for their fundamental rights. These courageous women, from suffragists to labor activists to everyday women demanding equality, deserve to be celebrated.

The women in my family and around me have inspired me every day. Through their everyday struggles, they paved the way for our greater freedoms. Women are entering professions once dominated by men. While progress is undeniable, there’s still much work to be done to achieve true equality. It feels like the true message of feminism, of achieving real equality, has gotten lost somewhere. We talk about women’s rights, but sometimes it seems like a hollow victory. Take something recent – women in the UAE can finally drive; that’s fantastic! But they still need permission from a male relative to get married or, in some cases, to travel. There are girls in some parts of the world, who cannot attain primary or secondary education due to their gender. And it’s not just about laws. Look around the world; so many cultures have these unspoken rules that dictate what women can and can’t do and how they should behave. There are countless women who are suffering injustice at work and at home. It’s like an invisible cage built on tradition.

The truth is, the list of inequalities women face goes on and on. We need a major shift to truly bridge the gap between men’s and women’s rights. We can’t change the past, but by raising awareness and demanding better, we can build a future where true equality is the norm, not the exception. The day serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for equal rights, from access to education and healthcare to freedom of movement and career choices. It’s a day to celebrate women’s achievements and push for a more equitable future.