by Faeze Aghamohammady:
International Women’s Day, held annually on March 8th, serves as an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women and examine the challenges and issues they face in their pursuit of rights and equality. The history of International Women’s Day dates back to the early 20th century, specifically to the labor protests by women in New York. In 1908, a group of women demonstrated against their working conditions, particularly demanding the right to vote.
These movements eventually evolved into a global movement, ultimately leading to the designation of March 8th as International Women’s Day.
The main objective of this day is to draw attention to the issues women face around the world, including gender discrimination, domestic violence, lack of access to equal rights in the labor market and politics, and to also highlight women’s accomplishments in various social and cultural fields.
However, while International Women’s Day in Western countries is accompanied by grand slogans and celebrations promoting equality, justice, and women’s rights, the realities in these countries—particularly regarding violence against women and the violation of their rights—present a different picture. Statistics from European countries and the United States show that domestic violence and rape have become serious concerns in many of these nations.
For example, in France, approximately 230 women die each year due to domestic violence, and in the UK, statistics show that more than two women per week fall victim to domestic violence-related murders. Additionally, in Germany, nearly a quarter of women report experiencing domestic violence during their lives. These cases are just a glimpse of the harsh realities of violence against women in European countries, demonstrating that, despite claims of supporting women’s rights, these countries have not yet succeeded in solving their internal problems in this regard.
Meanwhile, Islam and its teachings, particularly regarding the respect and dignity of women, stand out. While many Western societies approach women’s issues from an individualistic perspective, citing freedom and women’s rights, Islam has always emphasized the high status of women within the family and society. One of the well-known sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that addresses how to treat women is as follows:
“The best of you are those who are the best to their wives, and I am the best to my wives.”
This hadith emphasizes the importance of treating women with kindness and respect, highlighting that, in Islam, women should not only be respected but should also hold a lofty position within the family and society.
In Iran, as one of the Islamic countries, the perspective on women is based on Islamic teachings. In this country, women have achieved remarkable success in many fields, including science, culture, sports, and even politics. While Iran adheres to Islamic principles and laws, it has made efforts to ensure women are actively involved in various societal sectors and to recognize their rights within the framework of Islamic guidelines. Although there are still challenges in some areas, the general attitude toward women in Iran is based on respect, dignity, and the protection of their human rights.
While Western nations emphasize equality and women’s rights in their slogans, the realities in these countries show they have yet to successfully address serious issues like domestic violence, rape, and economic and social inequalities. In contrast, Islamic teachings that stress the respect and dignity of women have consistently elevated women’s status throughout history. This indicates that, in the realm of supporting women’s rights, particularly in Islamic societies, a focus on dignity and human respect can be a more effective approach than some superficial policies and Western slogans.
In conclusion, it must be said that as long as Western countries and the United States face serious challenges regarding women’s rights—such as wage inequality, domestic violence, rape, and femicide—the observance of International Women’s Day serves no purpose other than hypocrisy and hollow display. While these countries consider themselves pioneers in women’s rights, the harsh realities within these societies show they are still incapable of solving the fundamental issues related to women’s rights. Therefore, the designation of this day, until these Western countries address their fundamental problems, remains nothing more than an ineffective symbol.