Women's History Month

To celebrate this month and International Women’s Day on 8 March, we spoke with some of our colleagues on how they commemorated International Women’s Day and Women's History Month - here's their say.

Inspiring Words from a Feminist Icon: Mary Robinson

"From left to right: me, my daughter Lillian (11), and one of my feminist icons, Mary Robinson, at the Kofi Annan lecture in Geneva. During the lecture, Mary shared a powerful message:

"I have come to believe that the heart of the problem is that the world has been run predominantly by male leaders. It is not that women are better than men. The truth is that the world needs the balance of differing perspectives of leadership and power. Men in power tend to be more hierarchical, more interested in hard power, less concerned about being servant leaders. Women leaders, especially those who have come out of women’s networks and the women’s movement, tend to be more collaborative, listening, and problem-solving in practical ways. To have the dominance of one kind of leadership is not healthy for our world and has contributed to the stark situation we are in. The current failure of leadership is not gender neutral."

Hearing these words in person was incredibly inspiring and reminded me of the importance of diverse leadership perspectives in shaping a better, more balanced world." - Maria Butler, Executive Director.

Marching for Justice and Blooming Together

"This International Women’s Day, thousands of women in Mexico once again took to the streets to reclaim the spaces that belong to us—spaces that violence, insecurity, and impunity have stripped away. A beautiful and powerful symbol during this month is the way the streets are painted purple, the emblematic color of the feminist movement in Latin America, thanks to the magnificent jacaranda trees that bloom at this time of year. These vibrant flowers accompany us as we march, reminding us how our struggles and voices flourish when we come together.

On March 8th, I walked through my city alongside thousands of women, demanding justice for all the murdered and disappeared women in Mexico. I marched with immense inspiration, admiration, and respect for the collectives of searching mothers (“madres buscadoras”)—those who go out every day to search for their missing children, challenging the entrenched system of injustice and impunity with bravery and courage.

I dedicated this International Women’s Day to them."  - Amy Lira, Partnerships Coordinator.

"I am inspired and honored to be surrounded by amazing women who wake up every day with a fierce determination to strategize and advocate for peace, whether through small acts of kindness or bold, impactful initiatives. Peace needs women.

What keeps me hopeful during these challenging times is the unwavering dedication of young activists and changemakers around the world. Our courage to speak out against injustice, whether through social media advocacy or grassroots movements, is truly inspiring. We are reshaping the narrative and showing that compassion and resilience can TRUMP over hate and violence." - Bill Omondi, Communications Coordinator.

Beyond Bouquets: Transforming Women’s Day into a Call for Equality

"I have a complicated relationship with International Women’s Day. Born in Latvia during Soviet occupation, I saw the day used to reinforce traditional gender roles, celebrating femininity rather than equality. Men would line up at flower shops to buy flowers for women, marking the day with gestures of "appreciation." Though Latvia has been independent for well over 30 years, that legacy lingers—men still rush to buy flowers, social media is full of expressions of appreciation for the beauty of women, of photos of flowers, and many women not only accept but expect it.

In the last decade, however, events aligned with the spirit of International Women’s Day have emerged. The annual women’s march from the Freedom Monument to the Latvian Parliament demands equal rights and protections from gender-based violence and discrimination. Cultural events, such as women’s stand-up comedy, discussions, and panels, have become common - and not just on International Women’s Day, and news coverage focuses more on equality than flower sales. Progress is most certainly being made.

This year, I was especially excited about a new event: a drag show called The First Woman in Latvia, organized by local drag artists. While drag typically celebrates glamour, this show tackled serious issues like gender-based violence, societal expectations, and emotional abuse. The second half of the show celebrated gender diversity and what it means to be a woman. It was striking, emotional, and beautiful. I was heartened by the large turnout—far more people than at the march earlier in the day—and felt hopeful for the direction our society is heading, even as the world feels ever more uncertain." - Daina Rudusa, Head of Media and Communications.

Photos used in this blog were sourced from personal archives.