Imagine a gender equal world. A world where bias, stereotypes and discrimination have no place. That’s the kind of equitable world International Women’s Day 2022 aims to bring about.

Marked annually on March 8, International Women’ Day is one of the most important days of the year that celebrates women’s economic, social, cultural and political achievements and rallies for their equal rights.

What’s the theme for International Women’s Day 2022?

Every year, International Women’s Day celebrates a different theme.

This year, the campaign calls to #BreakTheBias. A level playing field is essential to allow women to move ahead in their respective fields. Whether deliberate or unconscious, bias makes it difficult for them to do so. Campaign themes over the years have included:

ChooseToChallenge, #EachforEqual, #BalanceforBetter, #PressforProgress, #BeBoldforChange, #PledgeforParity, #MakeItHappen, #TheGenderAgenda and more.

UN Women is calling for climate action for women this year. “Across the world, women depend more on, yet have less access to, natural resources, and often bear a disproportionate responsibility for securing food, water, and fuel. “With the latest data, we now understand the vital link between gender, social equity and climate change, and recognize that without gender equality today, a sustainable future, an equal future, remains out of reach,” read a statement by the UN body.

When was the first International Women’s Day observed?

International Women's Day has been observed since the early 1900’s, which was a time of great turbulence in the industrial world, that was witnessing booming population growth and the rise of radical ideologies. International Women’s Day was honoured the first time in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland on 19 March.

What colors symbolize International Women’s Day?

The official colors of International Women’s Day are purple, green and white. Purple is for justice and dignity, green symbolizes hope and white is for purity.

How can you get involved?

Want to show your support for women? Here are a few activities you can participate in this International Women’s Day.

• Strike the #BreakTheBias pose

You can show your support for women all around the globe by crossing your arms and clicking a picture. Strike the International Women’s Day pose and share your #BreakTheBias picture on social media with the hashtags #IWD2022 #BreakTheBias to encourage others to also commit to forging an equitable world.

• Attend the Aurat March

Aurat March is an annual socio-political demonstration that takes place in different cities of Pakistan on 8th March. Women and their allies gather in Karachi, Lahore, Sukkur, Hyderabad, Islamabad and Peshawar to rally for equal rights.

The march manifesto demands economic justice, including implementation of labor rights and the Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010, recognition of women's unpaid contributions to the "care economy", and provision of maternity leave and daycare centers to ensure women's inclusion in the labor force.

Ever year the march is criticized for its slogans and pro and anti march sentiments are covered widely by mainstream and social media.