International Women’s Day 2024, celebrates women’s achievements, progress, and equality. The official campaign theme for International Women’s Day 2024 is 'Inspire Inclusion'. When we inspire others to understand and value women’s inclusion, we create a better world.
Historical Roots
The first International Women’s Day (IWD) was held in March 1911.
IWD transcends borders, organizations, and groups—it’s a day of collective global activism.
World-renowned feminist Gloria Steinem once emphasized that the struggle for equality belongs to all who care about human rights.
Investing in Women: Accelerating Progress
The overarching theme for 2024 is 'Invest in women: Accelerate progress'. It underscores the importance of creating an inclusive society and empowering women. IWD celebrates the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.
The idea of IWD traces back to the 1908 labour movement in New York. Women garment workers marched, demanding better pay, shorter working hours, and voting rights. The movement was spearheaded by the Socialist Party of America.
Just a few of the remarkable women who have made significant contributions to science and technology:
Ada Lovelace
Born in 1815, she was the world’s first computer programmer. Collaborated with Charles Babbage on the Analytical Engine, creating the first algorithm intended for implementation on this early mechanical computer.
Grace Hopper
She was a trailblazing computer scientist who invented the compiler. Her work led to the development of the high-level programming language COBOL, which revolutionized software development and paved the way for modern programming languages.
Tiera Guinn
A 21-year-old aerospace major at MIT. Working on building a powerful rocket for NASA. Inspiring others with her determination and vision.
Marie Curie
Pioneered research in radioactivity. The first woman to win the Nobel Prize (jointly with her husband) in 1903.
Elizabeth Blackwell
First woman to graduate from medical school in the US. She founded a medical school for women in England.
Dr. Mae C. Jemison
First African American woman in space. She holds degrees in chemical engineering and medicine. She served as a Peace Corps medical officer.
Caroline Herschel
Caroline Lucretia Herschel born in 1750 was a German-born British astronomer, whose most significant contributions to astronomy were the discoveries of several comets, including the periodic comet 35P/Herschel–Rigollet, which bears her name
Williamina Fleming
Cracked the secrets of the universe with computation.
Worked at the Harvard College Observatory in the late 1800s. These women have left an indelible mark on science and technology, inspiring generations to come.
