Top 10 Ways to Celebrate International Women’s Day Around the World

Armenia was once a republic of the former Soviet Union. In Armenia, there is a similar celebration for mothers held on April 7th each year. However, after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, International Women’s Day, celebrated on March 8th, was introduced and became an official holiday in Armenia.

On this day, Armenians take to the streets to commemorate the historic struggles of women and present meaningful gifts and well wishes to the women in their lives.

India is one of the largest and most populous countries in Asia. On March 8th, various celebrations take place across the nation to honor women. Women's organizations, NGOs, students, and social activists actively participate in workshops and public protests.

Additionally, films and documentaries are screened to the public in observance of International Women's Day. Sensitive gender-related issues are also discussed to raise awareness and spark meaningful conversations among the general public.

Today, International Women’s Day is an official holiday in 28 countries, including Vietnam. On this day, many organizations and workplaces host commemorative events, with men presenting women with flowers and meaningful gifts.

In the USA, March 8th is not officially recognized as a holiday. However, American women still mark the occasion in their own way. Many take to the streets to protest, organize strikes, or engage in other actions to demand gender equality and raise awareness about women's labor.

Although these countries—Brazil, Croatia, Hungary, and Bulgaria—are located on different continents, they share similar ways of celebrating International Women’s Day.

The day is celebrated with great enthusiasm, with men typically giving flowers and small gifts to women in their lives, such as mothers, wives, colleagues, and girlfriends. In schools, students often bring presents for their teachers and female classmates.

On March 8th every year, women in Poland, Pakistan, and the Netherlands take to the streets to protest for gender equality in major cities. They march, chanting slogans and carrying banners to raise awareness among the public and especially women themselves about equal rights on various issues such as wage disparity, educational opportunities, career advancement, social welfare conditions, and combating prostitution and violence against women.

In fact, women in these countries sometimes refuse to accept flowers, viewing them as a symbol of inequality and mere token gestures.

In China, March 8th is specifically celebrated by married women. It serves as a day for men to express their affection towards women, combining elements of both Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day.

Most men give gifts to their mothers, wives, and daughters. Women are often granted half a day off to shop, party, and unwind. Retail stores, fashion brands, and online shops see a significant spike in sales due to increased demand for gifts. Additionally, numerous businesses offer special discounts and promotions for women on this day.

In Vietnam, March 8th is not only a celebration of women, but also a day to commemorate the uprising of the Trung Sisters. These two female national heroes led the first revolt against foreign invaders from the North to reclaim independence for the Vietnamese people.

Today, women in Vietnam play an essential role, making up over half of the workforce and taking the lead in family care and nurturing the nation’s future generations. Every year on March 8th, Vietnamese women are celebrated with flowers, gifts, and special events to express respect and appreciation for their contributions.

The celebration of International Women’s Day in Italy is quite unique. Known as La Festa della Donna, this day sees men giving yellow mimosa flowers to the women in their lives. The tradition was started by a politician, Teresa Mattei, and has been warmly embraced by the Italian public. On this day, vibrant bouquets of mimosa flowers can be found on nearly every corner in Italy.

The mimosa theme also extends to food. Some Italians commemorate International Women’s Day by preparing a special cake designed to resemble the mimosa flower. This cake is typically light, spongy, and topped with cream, capturing the delicate and sweet essence of the flower.

In another European country, Russia, International Women’s Day is celebrated in a deeply meaningful and unique way. It is a public holiday in Russia, offering families a chance to gather and share a hearty meal, often accompanied by champagne. On this day, men take over the household chores, from preparing breakfast to washing dishes and looking after children, allowing women to fully enjoy their day off.

On March 8th in Russia, both men and women exchange gifts for the women they care about. The most popular gifts are flowers, with mimosa and roses being the most common choices. Additionally, cosmetics, jewelry, and household items are also popular gifts for women on this special day.

International Women's Day is a global celebration of women, a day that millions of women around the world take great pride in. It’s not just about honoring women, but also celebrating the global fight for gender equality and women's progress. However, each country has its own way of celebrating this day. The third European country that has its own unique celebration for International Women's Day is Portugal.

In Portugal, women gather together to celebrate International Women’s Day with a special party on the night of March 8th. Notably, this celebration is an all-women event!