Image shows a protest placard that reads 'March 4 Women' [Women's History Month]

Freddie Clemo

March is Women’s History Month, an annual celebration of current and historical women’s accomplishments, cultural influence and societal impact. 

Women’s History Month not only honours women’s historical contributions but draws attention to the ongoing barriers and human rights issues women face globally. The month serves to spotlight women around the world who are still fighting for equality and justice — for their rights and the rights of others.

Women’s History Month serves as a reminder that despite the progress that has been made to improve women’s rights and to recognise their contributions, gender inequality persists in many forms around the world.

The Origin of Women’s History Month

Women’s History Month can be traced to activist groups in the 1970s and 80s who fought for the recognition of women’s contributions.

In 1969, activist Laura X, who changed her name to symbolise the anonymity of women’s history and to reject male ownership, led a march on International Women’s Day (IWD). Before this, IWD had largely been overlooked since its genesis in 1911. X advocated for the establishment of a month-long recognition of women’s history, contending that allocating just one day to half of humanity was unfair.

“In 1988, the month of March was designated Women’s History Month in the USA”

In 1978, a weeklong celebration in Santa Rosa, California highlighted women’s contribution to American history and culture. By the following year, communities across the US had embraced the celebration, honouring the week of 8th March as International Women’s Week.

Soon after, activists and historians began lobbying for it to become a national event. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter declared the week of 2nd-8th March as National Women’s History Week.

In 1988, the month of March was designated Women’s History Month in the USA, later becoming an internationally recognised event.

In the UK, the first weeklong celebrations began in 1981, with the month-long event officially recognised in 1987.

Women’s History Month 2024

The theme for this year’s Women’s History Month celebrates women who are fighting for diversity, equity and inclusion.

Image courtesy of the National Women’s History Alliance. No changes were made to this image.

It recognises that women are often at the forefront of working towards equity for marginalised groups, both socially and institutionally.

In their statement on this year’s theme, the National Women’s History Alliance said: “The theme recognises women throughout the country who understand that, for a positive future, we need to eliminate bias and discrimination entirely from our lives and institutions.”

Women’s Reproductive Freedom

This year’s Women’s History Month theme resonates deeply with the ongoing global discourse surrounding reproductive rights and reproductive freedom, underscoring the link between women’s fight for gender equality and reproductive autonomy.

Reproductive freedom is the right to make informed decisions about one’s reproductive health without oppression, discrimination or barriers. Reproductive rights have been at the forefront of the global debate surrounding Women’s History Month this year. Even in 2024, women across the world are still having their reproductive rights stripped away.

Many women and girls live in fear of sexual violence and are unable to access contraception, as well as safe and legal abortions.

As Leila Hessini, a reproductive rights activist, told Amnesty International: “Women around the world know that the feminist struggle to dismantle sexism and male power and ensure that women have opportunities in life will not be achieved until all women have control over their sexual and reproductive lives.”

The Historic Fight 

In 1915, Mary Ware Dennett, Jessie Ashley and Clara Gruening Stillman founded the National Birth Control League in the US, advocating for widespread education about reproductive rights and access to contraception. They believed it was a woman’s right to control if and when she had children.

In 1916, authorities arrested political activist Emma Goldman for mailing lessons on contraceptive use, which violated the Comstock Law. Following her arrest, Goldman wrote in a letter: “While I am not particularly anxious to go to jail, I should yet be glad to do so, if thereby I can add my might to the importance of birth control and the wiping off our antiquated law upon the statute.”

Dr Helen Rodríguez Trías, an American paediatrician and former president of the American Public Health Association, fought to end forced sterilisation disproportionality affecting Puerto Rican women, women of colour and women of low income. In 1970, she was a founding member of the Committee to End Sterilization Abuse, and in 1979 many of her guidelines became federal requirements regarding patient consent.

Choice Or Access?

Sister Song, the Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective, has championed reproductive justice as a human right in recent years. The organisation recognises the need for a movement led by women of colour, indigenous women, trans people and other marginalised women that examines the barriers to reproductive freedom for marginalised groups.

“…this commitment to reproductive freedom and gender equity should extend well beyond the month of March.”

During times of crisis or conflict, women’s reproductive freedoms are often stripped away. In Gaza, menstrual and maternal health has become an acute issue affecting the women and girls who live in the conflict zone. Women are forced to give birth in dire, unsanitary conditions, often without medical assistance.

It is reports like these that are at the heart of this year’s Women’s History Month, reminding us of the urgent need to prioritise and safeguard reproductive rights and healthcare for all women and girls.

Indeed, this commitment to reproductive freedom and gender equity should extend well beyond the month of March.

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Featured image courtesy of Giacomo Ferroni on Unsplash. No changes were made to this image. See image license here.

First-Class English Literature grad from Edinburgh University, currently completing my NCTJ at News Associates and living in Sussex.

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