International Women's Day 2025: A Big One!
March 8th, 2025 – International Women's Day (IWD) – wasn't just another day. It was huge! Think about it: the 50th anniversary of the UN officially recognizing IWD and the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration. Seriously, that's a lot of history packed into one day. This year, the focus was, as always, on gender equality and empowering women and girls. It's an ongoing fight, and it's one we're far from winning, but the energy around IWD 2025 was palpable.
Carleton University's Celebration: Highlighting Achievements and Challenges
Carleton University totally jumped on board. Their newsroom was buzzing with stories about incredible women leaders on campus. It was amazing to see the university acknowledge not just successes, but also the real, persistent challenges women face because of gender discrimination. They specifically highlighted the struggles of racialized women, Indigenous women, women with disabilities, trans women, and other women with marginalized gender identities. It was powerful stuff, showing a real commitment to inclusivity.
Delhi Metro's IWD Fun: Pebble Art and Sudoku!
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) did something pretty cool. From February 28th to March 4th, they hosted a special event for women passengers. Think pebble art and Sudoku competitions at Rajiv Chowk, University, and Delhi Haat-INA Metro stations. Winners got certificates and prizes – a fun way to celebrate women's creativity and intellect! They even had an online quiz on their official X account (@OfficialDMRC). That's smart thinking, getting the digital crowd involved.
Global Impact: Young Women Leading the Way
It wasn't just about local events. The UN's theme for IWD 2025 focused on giving young women the chance to lead and innovate. The European Handball Federation (EHF), for instance, highlighted five amazing young handball players, including rising star Léna Grandveau. And over in Nottingham, UK, March was packed with events, from celebrations at the Nottingham Women’s Centre to activities at the Nottingham Central Library. It felt like the whole world was celebrating, in its own unique way.
Art, Commerce, and Empowerment: A Powerful Trio
Gertrude The Art App got in on the action by showcasing incredible work from independent women artists, offering a 15% discount (code IWD15) from March 3rd to 10th. Supporting emerging female talent? That's fantastic! And then there was the Ladki Bahin scheme in Maharashtra, India, distributing funds to empower women. Despite facing some opposition, Cabinet Minister Aditi Tatkare’s support for the scheme really highlighted the important work it’s doing.
Almonds Ai's Pink Rewards: A New Kind of Loyalty Program
Almonds Ai launched Pink Rewards, a loyalty program designed specifically for women. It’s all about wellness, professional development, and building community. It shows that businesses are finally starting to understand that women have unique needs and aspirations. This isn't just a trend; it's a movement.
A Day to Remember, a Fight to Continue
IWD 2025 served as a powerful reminder that the fight for gender equality is far from over. From university celebrations to metro events and global initiatives, it was a day dedicated to acknowledging women's achievements, addressing systemic inequalities, and empowering women to reach their full potential. Let's hope that someday, gender equality isn't just a one-day celebration, but our everyday reality.
