International Women’s Day Templates & Quotes.

Summary/Overview

International Women’s Day (IWD) is a special event that’s celebrated on the 8^th of March each year. The day focuses on women’s rights, and draws attention to global issues such as equality, gender-based violence, and reproductive rights.

If you’re interested in making something creative this IWD, Adobe Express has templates for an International Women’s Day poster, banner, and social media posts. Find free templates and Women’s Day quotes below if you’re looking for inspiration.

Explore Adobe Express International Women’s Day templates

What is International Women’s Day?

International Women’s Day celebrates women and their achievements across politics, culture, society, economics and beyond. IWD also calls attention to gender inequality in the world.

Observed across the globe on the 8^th of March, but only celebrated as a holiday in a handful of nations, IWD doesn’t belong to any one country or group. It’s purposefully driven by global gender equality, and each year focuses on a theme.

The theme is decided by the United Nations and highlights a particular struggle or cause.

Much like today, IWD was originally a political movement, and the first event was organised by the Socialist Party of America on the 28^th of February 1909. The event, named National Woman’s Day, went on to inspire similar days across Europe.

The following year saw a European conference on women’s rights and, in 1911, there were demonstrations in Austria, Germany, Denmark, and Switzerland.

Meanwhile, in Russia, on 8^th of March 1917, women in St Petersburg began a demonstration against food shortages, demanding “bread and peace”. The demonstration swelled in size, overtaking the city, and eventually influenced the downfall of Czarist Russia. In acknowledgment of the event, the Soviet Union made IWD an official holiday.

International Women’s Day was eventually adopted by feminists in the West in the 1960s, where women were fighting for the same things – equal pay, opportunities, legal rights, and autonomy. Roughly a decade later, the UN championed International Women’s Day and backed the demand for global equality.

International Women’s Day traditions.

International Women’s Day has various traditions that change from nation to nation. For many countries, International Women’s Day is still a day for protesting and challenging societal norms. In China, women have arranged protests against sexual harassment, while in Poland, IWD is used to protest in favour of reproductive rights.

Turkey has seen consecutive protests against domestic violence, abuse and inequality. Meanwhile, in Argentina, women have used International Women’s Day to protest against gender-based murder, or femicide, and for reproductive rights.

Some countries, such as Nepal, celebrate by giving women the day off work. Others, like Russia and Italy, will see men give women gifts and flowers as part of IWD, although many argue that year-round respect is more important than a day of presents.

Traditions for International Women’s Day vary by country. Some, like Russia and Romania, focus on gift giving, whereas others have a political leaning. In the UK, USA and Australia, people hold panels and discussions on the future of equality.

10 International Women’s Day quotes.

• “I do not wish women to have power over men; but over themselves.” - Mary Wollstonecraft, 1759-1797

Create an empowering International Women’s Day poster featuring this quote from Mary Wollstonecraft to celebrate the day.

• “I like to help women help themselves.” - Louisa May Alcott, 1832-1888

Do you want to share IWD online? An International Women’s Day banner may be what you need. Click here to find out how to make your own for free.

• “All that has been written about women by men should be suspect, for the men are at once judge and party.” - François Poullain de la Barre, 1647-1723

If you want to send a card to celebrate International Women’s Day, you can create one of your own that features this quote.

• “Independence is happiness.” - Susan B Anthony, 1820-1906

Independence has always been a cornerstone of International Women’s Day. Let people know it’s IWD with a creative Instagram story.

• “The woman who can create her own job is the woman who will win fame and fortune.” - Amelia Earhart, 1897-1937

The incomparable Amelia Earhart is attributed to this powerful statement, which you can overlay on a photo collage today.

• “The best protection any woman can have... is courage.” - Elizabeth Cady Stanton, 1815-1902

Share this motivational quote by 19th Century feminist Elizabeth Cady Stanton via an International Women’s Day Facebook post.

• “We have to free half of the human race, the women, so that they can help to free the other half.” - Emmeline Pankhurst, 1858-1928

If you want to raise awareness of International Women’s Day or an event that you’re running to celebrate it, a flyer with this quote might be just what you need.

• “The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.” - Ida B Wells-Barnett, 1862-1931

Build an inspiring social media graphic for International Women’s Day, ready to share it among your friends and followers.

• “As a woman I have no country. As a woman I want no country. As a woman, my country is the whole world.” - Virginia Woolf, 1882-1941

Capture your followers’ attention with a clever meme using this Virginia Woolf quote. Use our template for your meme to get the ball rolling.

• “The true militant suffragette is an epitome of the determination of women to possess their own souls.” - Emily Davison, 1872-1913

Create a new Twitter header for International Women’s Day that displays this impactful quote.

Useful things to know.

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