You know, I've been thinking about IWD a lot this past week and isn't it mad that we need to allocate a day to remind ourselves to celebrate women? When you think about it, it only exists because equality isn't there yet, and it's highlighting the issue rather than uplifting it. I dunno, maybe I'm wrong or a pessimist today, but when you look at the news, we're regressing; we're not improving, and it makes me sad for women, especially women of colour, queer women, trans women. This is why we I think we shouldn't celebrate International Women's Day 2025.
While some progress has been made, many of the same conversations persist—equal pay, bodily autonomy, workplace harassment, and political representation. In some cases, we are witnessing regression rather than advancement. For instance, Afghan women once had the right to vote in 1919, long before countries like France (1944) or Switzerland (1971). Yet today, Afghan women face extreme restrictions on their rights, education, and participation in public life. This is not progress—it is a stark reminder of how fragile rights can be.
The Illusion of Progress
Globally, women continue to fight for fundamental rights. The gender pay gap remains an issue across industries. According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report, at the current rate, it will take over 130 years to close the global gender gap. Women still face barriers to leadership roles, with only 10% of Fortune 500 companies having female CEOs as of 2024.
Moreover, legal protections vary drastically depending on location. Some countries have made strides in areas like maternity leave and domestic violence laws, while others have rolled back rights that were previously granted. The contrast is glaring—while some nations push for more inclusion and equity, others strip away autonomy and protections.
Fighting for Autonomy
A woman’s right to her own body has long been a battleground. In the UK, access to birth control and abortion rights exist, but debates over reproductive rights continue to surface. In the United States, the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022 demonstrated how easily rights can be revoked, leaving millions without access to essential healthcare.
Beyond reproductive rights, workplace harassment, discrimination, and societal expectations continue to impact women’s daily lives. Women of colour, LGBTQ+ women, and disabled women face additional layers of bias, limiting their opportunities and safety. The simple act of walking into a room and feeling seen, heard, and treated equally should not be a privilege—it should be the norm.
Art as a Form of Resistance
Art has always been a powerful medium for activism and self-expression. Throughout history, women have used art to challenge societal norms, document struggles, and reclaim their narratives. From Frida Kahlo’s deeply personal self-portraits to the feminist art movements of the 1970s, creativity has been a means of both defiance and healing.
Today, women worldwide continue to use art as a tool for advocacy. Murals, performance art, and digital activism amplify voices that might otherwise go unheard. Art allows individuals to process emotions, challenge injustice, and build community in ways that transcend language and geography.
Drawing What Can’t Be Said
For many, art provides a space to express what words cannot. Whether through painting, writing, or performance, creativity offers an outlet for reflection and resistance. On a day like IWD, perhaps the most powerful thing we can do is hold space for those whose voices are silenced—those who are fighting for the rights we may take for granted.
I'll admit, this is pretty deep for an art blog that usually has the occasional C-Bomb and some rampage on how art is good for you. But this one feels important. Art is so connected to expression; we all know that, and I just can't shake the knowledge that so many women worldwide are suppressed, lonely or struggling. I'm thinking of those women today. The women around me (including myself) are very lucky. We have the rights to our bodies, education, free speech and creativity. We don't need to be celebrated today. Instead, I'm gonna be holding space for those who are struggling, those we can't reach and those we can't help.
I hope that today, someone can use art to help their well-being. They can create art that tells their story. They can draw what they cannot say, and they can connect with something greater than themselves.
Because at the end of the day, art is power. It’s resistance, it’s release, it’s a voice when words fail. So, while IWD reminds us of the gaps we still need to close, maybe today isn’t just about celebration—it’s about recognition. Recognising the struggles, the strength, the stories untold. And if art can be a small act of defiance, of healing, or simply of being seen, then that’s something worth holding onto.
Finally, feel free to download this template onto watercolour paper and paint / design it however you'd like. This is how we can share a thought for all women and non-binary.
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