Women’s rights activist Nalini Singh is urging a renewed emphasis on the grassroots origins of International Women’s Day, cautioning that heightened visibility should not eclipse the voices of local women’s movements.
In a recent social media statement, Singh highlighted that while global attention on gender equality can foster dialogue and awareness, mere visibility is insufficient. She raised concerns about who dictates the priorities of the movement and whose experiences influence the international narrative on women’s rights.
Singh pointed out that International Women’s Day was historically established through the collective efforts of working women, trade unionists, and feminist organizers worldwide. She asserted that the legitimacy of this day stems from these movements and the communities they represent.
Rather than allowing the occasion to devolve into branding opportunities or superficial celebrations, Singh emphasized that many activists believe it should focus on holding governments, corporations, and institutions accountable for their impact on women’s lives.
Reclaiming International Women’s Day means reverting to its foundational mission of advocating for rights, addressing inequalities, and striving for structural change. This includes critical issues such as labor rights, economic justice, violence against women, reproductive autonomy, and political representation.
Singh also stressed the necessity of amplifying the voices often marginalized in global discussions, particularly those from the Global South, Indigenous communities, the LGBTIQA++ community, and working-class movements. She underscored that “International Women’s Day belongs to feminist movements everywhere, not to any single organization, corporation, or website.”
There is hope that by refocusing on these essential values, International Women’s Day can serve as a powerful platform for genuine progress toward gender equality and social justice for all women.
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