On March 8th, women across the globe came together to rally for equality on International Women’s Day. In Iran and Afghanistan, women marched for their rights in countries where they face significant barriers to equality. Meanwhile, in Washington D.C., activists assessed the progress made toward gender equality in the past year. While improvements have been made in some areas, such as increased political representation for women, there is still a long way to go. Globally, gender discrimination and abuse against women continue to be pervasive issues.

The United Nations urged accelerated action on gender equality, emphasizing the need to prioritize women’s economic empowerment, education, and healthcare. The organization called for concrete action to be taken to eliminate gender-based violence, ensure women’s participation in decision-making processes, and close the gender pay gap.

Despite the ongoing challenges, there were also reasons to celebrate. Numerous global initiatives were highlighted that are working to combat gender discrimination. These include movements toward greater gender inclusivity in the workplace, the launch of campaigns to raise awareness about domestic violence, and advocacy for policies that support women’s rights.

International Women’s Day serves as a reminder that gender equality is a global issue that requires everyone’s attention and action. Although there is much work left to be done, the day’s rallies and events demonstrate that women and their allies are determined to create a more equitable world for all.