21 Amazing International Women’s Day Facts

by Harini Natarajan

Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8th every year. It is a day to celebrate the courage and strength of women. But, do you know When Was International Women’S Day Created? What Is Women’S Day All About? Here are some facts curated just for you! This Women’s Day, surprise the women in your life with these amazing facts about women that they themselves may have no clue about!

1. Women’s Day Was Officially Adopted In 1975

The United Nations began celebrating International Women’s Day in 1975, the year which was announced to be the International Women’s Year.

2. Women’s Day Is A Combined Holiday In Some Places

In some countries, like Macedonia, Uzbekistan, Serbia, and Albania, Women’s Day is a combined holiday celebrated along with Mother’s Day.

3. Women’s History Month

In 2011, President Obama declared March as Women’s History Month in the United States.

4. Economic Growth Is Proportional To Educated Women

The economic growth of the world has been found to be directly tied to the increasing percentage of educated women. In over 34 countries, it has been seen that the education of women and girls resulted in 50% economic growth.

5. Girls Are More Likely To Perish Due To Child Marriage

Studies have proven that girls at a higher risk of dying due to early marriage and childbirth than due to wars, famines, and other natural disasters. In fact, maternal mortality is the second leading cause of death among girls between the ages of 15 and 19 globally (1). According to 2009 data, over 60 million girls are forced into child marriage every year (2).

Women's Day Facts

Image: Shutterstock

6. Women Are Slowly Catching The Lead In Organizations

As of 2012, women hold approximately 15.1% of presiding official posts in the government.

7. There Are More Colours In A Women’s Life

Research has found that between men and women, women are able to recognize 25% more colors and shapes.

8. Death During Pregnancy Is Very Common

A woman is said to die due to complications during childbirth every 90 seconds. These women are generally underage and under-educated.

9. Women Perceive More Smells

Women have always been in positions where they have been required to cook, gather herbs, and take care of others. This has evolved women to become more sensitive to scents and smells.

10. Women Run The Intelligence Route

The top two highest IQs ever recorded in the world belonged to women. Marilyn Vos Savant, an American magazine columnist, playwright, author, and lecturer, was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for having the highest recorded Intelligence Quotient in the world. Her IQ was recorded at 228.

11. Women Are Inventors Behind The Scenes

Women have been making stunning discoveries and inventions since time immemorial, but they rarely get the credit due to them. Mary Anderson invented the windshield wiper in 1903. Also, it was women who invented disposable diapers, paper bags, non-reflective glass, the foot-pedal trashcan, and the dishwasher.

12. Child Marriage Rates Are Dropping Too Slowly

Child marriage rates have gone down by only 30% in countries in North Africa and the Middle East in the past 80 years.

13. Women Are Better Conversationalists

Women are considerably better than men at reading faces, gestures, and voice tones. This makes them champion conversationalists and social leaders.

14. Heels Were Not Originally Made For Women

Heels were introduced to women’s fashion in the 1600s to mimic the men who wore heels as a sign of their masculinity. Soon, men stopped wearing heels, and women have rocked them ever since.

15. There Are More Stay-At-Home Men Than Women In The US

In the US, there are approximately 2,09,000 men who stay at home, which is significantly more than women.

Women In The US

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16. Women Rule The Military

In the United States, there are 1.6 million female veterans. They make up 14% of the US military.

17. Women Create Wonders

Among the seven ancient wonders of the world, two of them were created by women. The Mausoleum of Halicarnassus was built by Artemisia, queen of Caria. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon were planted by Semiramis, an Assyrian queen.

18. The First Computer Programmer Was A Woman

Ada Lovelace was the first person to recognize the full potential of a computing machine, i.e., a computer. She was one of the first computer programmers in the world.

19. The Number Of Women Is Higher In Russia

There are a whopping 9 million more women in Russia than men.

20. UN Announces A Specific Theme For Women’s Day Every Year

Every year, the UN announces a specific theme for Women’s Day. The theme for 2020 is ‘I Am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights.’

21. A Women’s Day Demonstration Got Russian Women The Right To Women.

On March 8th, 1971, at the height of World War I, women in Russia led a strike for “bread and peace.” This sparked the Russian Revolution that led to the abdication of the Czar mere days later. The provisional government that was then set up granted women the right to vote (3).

These interesting facts about International Women’s Day are sure to impress those around you! This Women’s Day, show your appreciation to all the women around you by letting them know how special and unique they are.

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Harini Natarajan
