5 months and 7 days left till Women’s Day. Spread the word!
Get your colors ready: International Women’s Day is arriving. Every 8 March, millions of women gather and march around the world to demand their fundamental rights. But do you know the brief origins and the whole meaning of this important day? Here you will find many interesting facts and information, plus some original graphic resources that you...
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Woman
Strong and confident, these women photos are ready to empower your creative projects this Women’s Day. These hand-picked, high-quality images will bring value to your impactful designs, helping drive awareness and supporting your important message.
Feminism
Bring about a strong sense of pride using these visually impactful feminism images that are ready to use as a feature for a website, social media post or perhaps even an awareness campaign to drive traffic and gain support this Women’s Day.
Business woman
Business women are the very best representations of Women’s Day and feminism. These images of female professionals describe the importance of equality, feminine power, and the efforts to create a fair society. They are perfect for any type of project.
Gender equality
These photos capture the essence of gender equality, so they can make powerful visual statements about justice, trust, and respect. They are also a great way to encourage people to think about the importance of this social movement and can be used in presentations, posters, and other materials.
International Women’s Day posters
Spread the word with this selection of International Women’s Day posters from Freepik, that can be shared everywhere. You’ll find strong and powerful pictures and quotes on them, that will for sure make an impact. Discover them now within a few clicks!
Women’s Day backgrounds
Carry the revolutionary spirit always with you with any of these Women’s Day backgrounds. Have a look, choose the design that best suits you, and use them on your mobile or desktop. Don’t wait anymore and discover these designs from Freepik now!
Women’s Day cards
Celebrate and honor every woman by sharing these Women’s Day cards from Freepik. Flowers, beautiful drawings and vibrant colors are the main characters of these designs. Discover and download them now – there’s no time to waste!
Women’s Day social media posts
Have a look at this selection of Women’s Day Social Media posts from Freepik and use them to raise awareness online. Find thousands of images and vectors that you can easily share on Instagram or Facebook. What are you waiting for to start?
Symbols
Female symbol
Mimosa flower
Fist
8M
This powerful and significant symbol has a lot of history at its back! It’s formed by two simple geometric forms, a circle and an inverted cross as the base. Traveling back to ancient times, it represented the goddess Aphrodite or Venus – the goddesses of beauty, love, and femininity. It is commonly known as the symbol of Venus as well! It also represents cooperation in alchemy and the planet Venus – of course – in astronomy. Not only that, but it symbolizes every woman, fertility, or femininity, and it’s a representation of fighting. This element represents the biological reality of the female sex and the gender discrimination that they still suffer nowadays.
Giving flowers is one of the most common gestures in diverse countries on Women’s Day, as it’s a beautiful way to honor each and every woman in our lives. Mimosas, daisies, and tulips are some main characters. Flowers hide lots of meanings and have a language of their own. Naturally, they have been associated with elegance, beauty, or femininity, with roses being the first to come to our minds. But on 8 March, flowers such as orchids, daisies, or lavenders are some of the most preferred for their purple tones, one of the most representative colors of the feminist movement. Mimosas, for their huge significance, also tend to be the favorite ones to give, especially in Italy, Albania, or Russia.
The raised fist has always been a powerful symbol of support and solidarity, as it’s used to express strength and unity. In ancient Assyria, this was employed as a salute and a symbol of resistance. We can find an early example of the use of this symbol in 1848, during the French Revolution. In the twentieth century it gained so much popularity, as it was employed in the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) as a powerful anti-fascism symbol. It can also be found in propaganda posters during the protests of May 1968 in France. Today is a truly well-known feminist symbol. It first appeared as such on the cover of two books written by Robin Morgan, ‘Sisterhood is Powerful’ (1970) and ‘Sisterhood is Forever (2003). Lots of flags and posters are filled with this significant symbol on each feminist march around the world today!
Femicides, or inequalities in wages or in access to work along with other difficulties, continue to be a cause of fight every 8 March for millions of women around the world. We’ve discovered the enormous significance of the 8 March: it’s the day when every nation reached an agreement to honor the historical struggle of women for their equal rights and recognize their valuable role in society. As such, this important day is present in tons of different designs, from posters or cards to banners. It’s a way to raise their voices and vindicate, even more, this day, whose main objective is to achieve gender equality between men and women.
There are several colors we use during Women’s day for our designs, and one of them is Cosmic Cobalt, or #332C82, whatever you prefer to call it. Cosmic Cobalt has a blue base and has certain reminiscences of violet tones, so it may remind us of the colors that are always used in the media campaigns of this day. It is a color with a lot of strength and presence, so we must use it wisely and with caution, paying close attention to the colors that will accompany it, so as not to saturate your design. With Cosmic Cobalt you will have to use other contrasting colors, such as carnation pink, which although they are not complementary colors, work well and are perfect for this special day.
Women’s Day history has not been an easy one. The need to commemorate 8 March arose in the nineteenth century, after the Industrial Revolution when the mode of production at work and the economy changed radically. These new times brought new ideas, and women began demanding their rights, such as the right to vote. First marches and strikes took place, and many women began to unite for their labor rights in unions. A flame was lit and is more alive than ever. If you want to look deeper into this important day and discover some relevant historical facts, just keep reading and help to spread the word.
A starting point – up to 15,000 women march through the streets to claim equal work rights
The women’s revolution began in the second half of the nineteenth century. On 8 March 1857, many women working in the textile industry – commonly known as “garment workers” – organized the first strike, asking for better and more human conditions, as they usually worked up to twelve hours a day. Two years after this fact, in 1859, the protesters formed their first union, and the fight became unstoppable. More than fifty years later, 15,000 women reunite and march again in the fight for fairer salaries, the end of child labor, and the right to vote. They went under the claim “Bread and roses”, which symbolized an improved quality of life in every aspect.
The fight consolidates, and has an official day
On 3 May 1908, an event known as “Women’s Day” was organized at the Garrick Theater, in Chicago. It was presided by socialist women dedicated to condemning the oppression of women and the fight for their rights. Here comes into play the initiative of the Committee of the Socialist Party of America: they recommended that each last Sunday during March, events in favor of women’s rights should be held. Today, we know this celebration as International Women’s Day, but it was first called National Woman’s Day. The first commemoration finally took place on the 28 February 1909. Later that year, in November, a new strike organized by the ‘New York shirtmakers’ occurred, and it was known as the “Uprising of the 20,000”.
Many European countries and the United States commemorate for the first time ever this day
1911 is such an important year in the fight for women’s rights, but a year prior, in 1910, Denmark set a precedent. This European country proposed, for the first time, International Women’s Day. A conference was held between diverse nations – more specifically, more than 17 countries attended! 19 March 1911 will be forever remembered as the first International Women’s Day. But during this year, also a terrible tragedy happened: up to 100 female workers of the textile industry, most of them immigrants, lost their lives in a fire in the Triangle Shirtwaist factory, as they were locked inside without any chances to escape. This tragic fact was a before and after in the fight and led to enormous consequences in the labor legislation in the United States.
After many crucial milestones, this important day began to be recognized around the world
Let’s travel back to 1917, specifically to the Russian Revolution. They achieved an important landmark: the right to vote for every woman and legalize the divorce. The 8 March was now recognized as the Women’s Day in the Soviet Union, and many other countries followed its path. In China for example, it was first celebrated in 1922, and in Spain, a few years later, in 1936, where we can highlight the figure of Dolores Ibárruri. In 1975, the United Nations entered the game, and celebrated the International Women’s Day. Two years later, during a General Assembly, diverse states agreed to set an official day to commemorate this fight. That’s how the 8 March was established as the ‘United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace’.
As the Women’s Day celebration consolidated, more and more places have joined it. This day is still so relevant, as there are many rights to be still conquered. There are many particularities and traditions, so if you want to find out how Women’s Day is held, just check this section, and share the knowledge with everyone!
It’s been such a hard fight for women’s rights in this Asian country. Before discovering how they commemorate this day in China, let’s have a look back at the role of women throughout its history. In ancient China, women had a lower social status. Female infanticide, concubinage, and forced marriage were common practices. They barely had any say or right and were usually sold and mistreated. During the 1950s, significant advances in women’s rights were accomplished thanks to the New Marriage Law, which banned many of these practices. But with the establishment of the Democratic Republic of China, the one-child policy was introduced, generating sexist attitudes and huge gender imbalances. Even so, girls born under this policy have had access to better education since more economic resources could be destined to them. These days, both men and women have the same rights. In Women’s Day it’s usual to show gratitude to female workers by giving them half the day off or just giving small gifts.
Let’s see the traditions of ‘Festa della donna’!. 8 March is celebrated in this beautiful Mediterranean country with a curious particularity: to give every working woman a bouquet of mimosas. But where does this tradition come from? Let’s travel back in time to the mid-twentieth century, specifically to 1946. The tragic and cruel Second World War has recently finished, and that’s when three Italian women – Rita Montagnana, Teresa Mattei, and Teresa Noce - decided to, in some way, personalize International Women’s Day. On 8 March, they marched through the streets, giving a bouquet of mimosas to every working woman. There’s no specific reason to choose this flower as a symbol: it’s just because it’s the most common during that time of the year! Today, besides this detail, women usually go out for dinner with their friends.
Women’s History Month is here to stay. In this country, there has been such a huge effort to recognize the role and evolution of women’s struggles, and that’s why they celebrate Women’s History Month each March. But how did this emerge? Its history is recent – we have to travel back to the Second World War, when female work in factories inspired one of the best well-known symbols of their empowerment: the iconic poster of Rosie ‘the Riveter’, created by J. Howard Miller. A few years later, in 1978 in the State of California, the local activities and initiatives made during Women’s History Week caused such a huge impact on the population. In 1980, this celebration gained some support, and the ’National Women’s History Week’ became official. A few years later, 14 states already declared March as Women’s History Month, and in 1987, congress declared it as such permanently.
The marches fill the main streets during this day. The fight for Spanish women’s rights had its high point during the 1930s. In these years, the Spanish Courts approved the national Constitution of 1931, which supposed such huge accomplishments – for example, the right to vote for every woman. This was possible thanks to deputy Clara Campoamor, a politician and lawyer that fought really hard for women’s rights. But it wasn’t until 1978 that the first march arrived in Madrid, organized by different feminist platforms. This was a new era for the country, with the end of the dictatorship and the entry of democracy. Today, these marches, along with conferences and different events are still very present every year, with the aim of raising awareness and continuing the fight that still lies ahead around the world.
An arduous fight for women rights. The precursors in the fight for women’s rights in the United Kingdom were Mary Smith, who asked for the right to vote in 1832, and John Stuart Mill in 1868, who fought for these rights in Parliament, but without success. In the twentieth century, Emmeline Pankhurst founded the ‘Women’s Social and Police Party’ in 1903, were the so-called ‘suffragettes’ used brutal tactics to achieve their goal. At the same time, we can find the ‘suffragists’ like Millicent Fawcett, who advocated for more peaceful strategies. A great victory came in 1928 when women achieved equal rights, and the right to vote thanks to the Parliament. But the struggle continues today: the wage gap and other inequalities remain, which is why marches are still a regular event each year.
Green handkerchiefs as a symbol of revolution. 8 March is the date when we honor every woman, and remember all the historical triumphs, and their painful losses. In Chile and the whole of Latin America, that revolutionary character is more alive than ever. On this day, there’s no room for flowers or gifts: it’s the time when women take the streets to protest and denounce the injustice, misogyny, and gender equality that remains nowadays in society. On this day, the marches happen throughout the whole country, especially in the capital, Santiago de Chile. They wear a true symbol of their fight, green handkerchiefs, in support of their reproductive and sexual rights. The battle for abortion rights has been the center of lots of marches in the last few years, under the name of “marea verde”, turning into one of the most organized and loudest movements. It gained momentum since Argentina, in January 2021, legalized abortion.
A review of the history of this celebration. In 1965, Women’s Day was established as a non-working day in USSR. In its early beginnings, this festivity had a strong feminist component, intending to achieve equal rights for both genders. USSR was, indeed, a true pioneer in this fight. This idea slowly faded during the Soviet Union period, but we can find some contradictions. While there was such strict control over society, especially women, Valentina Tereshkova became the first Russian woman to ever travel to space. Nowadays, the reality is different. Women’s Day in Russia has become a familiar festivity, unlike in other regions, which we will see later. Now it’s usual to give gifts, especially flowers, to women, practically eliminating the vindictive character with which this day was born in the country.
