International Women’s Day 2025 (BSL)

International Women's Day (IWD), held annually on 8 March, is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. In some places like China, Russia, Vietnam and Bulgaria, IWD is a national holiday. Since its birth in the socialist movement, IWD has grown to become a global day of recognition and celebration across developed and developing countries alike. For decades, IWD has grown from strength to strength annually. For many years the UN has held an annual IWD conference to co-ordinate international efforts for women's rights and participation in social, political and economic processes. 1975 was designated as 'International Women's Year' by the UN. Women's organisations and governments around the world have also observed IWD annually by holding large-scale events that honour women's advancement and while diligently reminding of the continued vigilance and action required to ensure that women's equality is gained and maintained in all aspects of life. The Scottish Women's Convention (SWC) was set up by the then Scottish Executive in 2003, in recognition of the need to ensure women's voices are reaching policy makers. Since 2007 the SWC has brought together hundreds of women to celebrate IWD at the Scottish Parliament. This event follows on from those successes.