From its inception in 1910 by renowned activist Clara Zetkin, often called the mother of International Women’s Day, this global movement has evolved significantly. In 1977, the United Nations officially recognized March 8 as International Women’s Day, affirming it as a global call for women’s rights and equality.

Yet, more than a century later, the promise of equal protection and equal opportunity remains unfulfilled.

Every March 8, we are reminded that women’s human rights have not been fairly or equally protected. Zetkin understood that true change would require a global sisterhood united across borders to challenge inequality in pay, economic participation, social status, and legal rights.

This year, we join the global call: “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls.”

✨Why?

Because women worldwide hold only 64 percent of the legal rights that men do.

Because, as stated in Article 7 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,

“All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law.”

And yet, equality before the law remains aspirational for millions of women and girls.

Simply put, women are still not fully protected under the law. Structural barriers rooted in patriarchal systems continue to limit full equality. According to UN Women, if progress continues at its current pace, it could take 286 years to close legal protection gaps.

✨This is not acceptable. 🚫

We cannot wait centuries for justice. We owe it to the next generation of girls and women to act with urgency, courage, and conviction.

✨If I may add my two cents:

First, we must encourage girls to pursue diverse and leadership positions across every sector. The days of the status quo when girls were discouraged from dreaming boldly must remain behind us.

Second, we must remind our sisters, young and old, that they do not need to wait to be invited to the table. If a seat is not offered, create your own space. Make your voice heard. Claim your visibility. Sit firmly in the chair you bring with you.

✨As the bold and trailblazing Shirley Chisholm once said,

“If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” 🪑

On this International Women’s Day 2026, we declare: Seated🪑 and protected⚖️ shall I be.

Happy International Women’s Day 2026. 🫱🏾‍🫲🏽🤝