“Human rights are women’s rights.” This declaration by Hillary Clinton at the Beijing conference in 1995 to mark the forward progress of women’s rights-expansion globally seems to ring a little hollow today. In 2026, we are now watching the erosion of  basic women’s rights throughout the world, a widespread turning back of the progress we have made on so many fronts; from reproductive rights, to access to education and income inequality. In the United States, this backward movement is compounded by the stagnation of important legislation and constitutional changes, including the Equal Rights Amendment and the Equality Act. 

However, the fight goes on, as we watch women from all over the world, from the United States to Iran to Ireland, standing up to once again demand more from their governments. It is in this context that we once again celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8. 

While International Women’s Day has a much longer history, marked for the first time in March 1911, we now tend to associate the holiday with the United Nations, which began celebrating International Women’s Day in 1975. It has since been commemorated annually by the UN, with each year’s observance centered on a particular theme or issue within women’s rights

The theme for 2026 is “Give to Gain.”  Represented visually by a gesture of outstretched hands to symbolize a request for both help and connection, this theme was selected to emphasize the power of collective generosity, reciprocity, and support in expanding opportunities for women. When women thrive, we all rise.

As part of this campaign, the UN is also calling on governments to “act boldly and decisively for all women and girls” in six priority areas  that they feel can make a big difference to women’s lives–areas that parallel AAUW California’s public policy priorities in many ways.

• Fostering a Digital Revolution, defined as backing the Global Digital Compact so that everyone can benefit from technology and its potential.
• Targeting Zero Violence by investing in women’s rights organizations already working to prevent and end violence.
• Aiming for Freedom from Poverty by investing in social protection systems and public services to give women an equal chance to thrive.
• Establishing Greater Peace and Security by supporting women’s leadership to build peace.
• Offering More Decision-Making Power to women everywhere by adopting laws that support women’s participation in politics and business.
• Centering Climate Justice by prioritizing not only climate action itself, but women and girls in climate action, boosting their leadership and access to healthy environments and green jobs.

Let us not forget eternal vigilance is the price of freedom. On March 8, and every other day, we will continue to stand together and demand more, from ourselves, our communities, and our governments. As we all celebrate, please consider what you will Give to Gain gender equality in 2026.