In recent years, March 8 has seen Ukraine enter a zone of ideological turbulence, where flower queues in stores border on fierce battles to change the date of the celebration. We find ourselves in a state of painful “mental twine,” because old Soviet habits still hold us by the shoulders, and the desire for a new national identity already requires a radical break with the past. Despite numerous attempts to revise the holiday calendar, many people support the preservation of March 8, emphasizing its international significance and the simple desire to congratulate women.
From Clara Zetkin to Lesya Ukrainka: How the Meaning of Women’s Day is Changing
The origins of International Women’s Day date back to the bleak industrial districts of New York at the beginning of the 20th century, where real demands for equal pay and suffrage had little in common with the later Soviet cult of tulips. The then protests of textile workers in 1908 arose as a desperate reaction to inhumane working conditions, but within a few years this grassroots activism was skillfully intercepted by the socialist movement in Europe. Clara Zetkin at the Copenhagen conference in 1910 proposed an annual date that, in fact, had nothing to do with the spring holiday, but served as a tool for mobilizing women for class struggle, and later allowed the Bolsheviks to turn this day into a powerful ideological marker.
The Bolshevik interpretation of March 8 was finally consolidated after the events of February 1917 in Petrograd, when a mass women’s strike for “bread and peace” became the detonator of the fall of the monarchy. The Soviet authorities quickly monopolized this historical moment, building around it the myth of the “liberated woman of the East”, who owed her freedom exclusively to the party, and not to her own efforts or the evolution of law. In the early years of the USSR, this day was celebrated in workshops and at rallies, where women were positioned as “labor units” whose main value was their ability to replace men at the machine tool or in the field. This approach completely ignored personality, instead creating an image of an ideologically correct activist deprived of the right to privacy or an alternative view of her role in society.
The transformation of the Solidarity Day into a “celebration of spring and beauty” took place already in the era of Brezhnev’s stagnation, when ideological fervor faded, giving way to tradition. In 1965, March 8 was officially made a day off, which actually marked the beginning of its depoliticization and transformation into a patriarchal trap under the guise of honoring Beregyna. During the 1970s–1990s, the celebration of March 8 in Soviet society had a clearly formed content, combining official ideology and everyday traditions. In state institutions, enterprises and educational institutions, this day was accompanied by solemn meetings, during which they spoke about the role of women in production, science, education, family and public life, recalling their work as an important component of the development of the state.
Along with these official accents, a different, more personal atmosphere of the holiday gradually formed in everyday culture: men gave flowers, cards and small gifts to mothers, wives, colleagues and teachers, and families and work groups arranged festive dinners or small concerts. This is how two different semantic layers gradually combined – a public one, associated with conversations about equality and women’s labor merits, and a private one, in which this day was perceived as an opportunity to express attention and respect for women in the family and immediate environment.
During the period of Ukraine’s independence, the celebration of March 8 gradually changed its meaning, moving away from the Soviet tradition of solemn gatherings and industrial awards and becoming mainly a day of personal attention to women in the family, team or circle of friends. In cities and villages, this day was mostly associated with flowers, gifts and family gatherings, and in educational institutions and at work it was accompanied by festive greetings, concerts or informal gatherings of colleagues. However, since the beginning of the 2020s, discussions have increasingly been heard in society about the meaning of this date, as some public organizations and researchers have recalled the historical origin of the holiday as a day of struggle for women’s rights, while for a significant part of Ukrainians it remained a traditional occasion to express respect for mothers, wives, colleagues and teachers.
The current controversy over this date in Ukraine stems from the inability to separate the original human rights content from the multi-layered Soviet layering that has shaped our collective memory for decades. Critics of the holiday point out that in the USSR it served as a screen to hide real inequality, where women bore a double burden — a full-time job in production and a full cycle of unpaid domestic work. At the same time, attempts to completely ban March 8 face resistance from those who see it in the global context of the UN, where this day remains a platform for reporting on progress in human rights.
Global progress has stopped at the level of legislative discrimination, which deprives 2.7 billion women of the right to freely choose a profession on an equal basis with men. This economic inequality is reinforced by a political vacuum, as the presence of women in world parliaments has still not overcome the critical threshold of 25%, leaving the real levers of governance in the hands of the male majority. But the most painful indicator of the failure of the international human rights system is the statistics of violence, since every third woman in the world becomes a victim of aggression on the basis of gender. These figures turn March 8 from a solemn date into a disturbing reminder that no state in the world has yet created an environment for women where their choice, voice and safety would be guaranteed not only on paper, but also in daily practice.
Introduction of Ukrainian Women’s Day
On March 3, the Verkhovna Rada submitted draft resolution No. 15052, which aims to introduce a new state holiday — Ukrainian Women’s Day, which should be celebrated annually on February 25. Non-partisan deputy Oksana Savchuk and “servant of the people” Rostyslav Tystik point out the absurdity of the situation, since Ukraine still officially celebrates the date that was once imposed by the Soviet Union to replicate its surrogate vision of the role of women.
The explanatory note to the document notes that at the state level, March 8 — the so-called International Women’s Day, which was introduced during the Soviet era and is associated with its ideas about the role of women in society — is still observed as a day off. The text also recalls that the holiday was established in 1921 on the initiative of Clara Zetkin, tying it to the events of the February Revolution of 1917 in Russia.
The authors of the draft resolution consider it more appropriate to introduce Ukrainian Women’s Day in honor of the birthday of the writer and public figure Lesya Ukrainka. The explanatory note emphasizes that this date has been celebrated by Ukrainian communities both in Ukraine and abroad for a long time, therefore, according to the initiators, it is time to establish it at the official level.
The People’s Deputies note that the purpose of the draft resolution is to introduce a Ukrainian holiday that should contribute to the rejection of the symbolic legacy of the colonial past in cultural life and everyday traditions. The initiators of the document also emphasize the need to revise the state calendar, cleanse it of dates that were introduced in previous historical periods, as well as the desire to support already established social traditions and strengthen the presence of historical memory in the Ukrainian cultural space. At the same time, the draft resolution does not specify whether the new date will have the status of a day-off.
How March 8 is celebrated around the world
During 2020–2026, International Women’s Day in different countries of the world has retained several different celebration traditions that were formed under the influence of history, politics, and modern public discussions about women’s rights. For some countries, this date remains an official day-off with state celebrations and public events, while in others it has become an occasion for public actions, conferences, or charitable initiatives dedicated to the topics of equality, education, and women’s safety.
Many cities in Europe, North and South America hold marches, discussion panels and cultural events in early March, during which activists, researchers and human rights defenders discuss access to work, women’s representation in politics and the fight against domestic violence.
At the same time, in a number of countries in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as in some countries of the post-Soviet space, March 8 retains a more everyday character. On this day, men give flowers, sweets or small gifts to mothers, wives and colleagues, and schools and workplaces hold short festive meetings or concerts. A similar tradition is also widespread in some countries of the Balkans and Central Asia, where a combination of symbolic celebrations with private family celebrations has historically developed.
In major cities in Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Canada, and the United States, thematic forums, exhibitions, educational programs, and solidarity marches were held to raise issues of gender equality, women’s access to leadership positions, and labor rights. After the COVID-19 pandemic, which limited mass events in 2020–2021, many organizations began to hold some of their events in a mixed format — with online discussions, live lectures, and international conferences.
In the United States, March 8 does not have the status of a public holiday and is not accompanied by mass domestic traditions similar to those common in Eastern European countries. During 2020–2026, this date is mostly celebrated as part of a broader period — Women’s History Month, which lasts the entire month of March in the United States. At this time, cities, universities, museums, and community organizations hold lectures, exhibitions, conferences, and educational programs dedicated to the contributions of women to politics, science, culture, and public life in the country.
Many American institutions, including libraries, educational institutions, and community centers, organize thematic meetings during which researchers and activists discuss the history of the women’s movement, the development of labor rights, and the participation of women in public administration. In large cities such as New York, Washington, or San Francisco, community organizations hold discussions, cultural events, and small marches that recall the history of the struggle for equal opportunities and draw attention to contemporary social issues.
Individual federal agencies and government agencies also join in celebrating this date. The White House traditionally publishes a presidential address on International Women’s Day or Women’s History Month, which commemorates the achievements of American women in various fields. However, for most US citizens, March 8 does not have a distinct holiday character in everyday life, but is perceived rather as a date associated with educational, cultural and social initiatives.
In addition, in Asian and Latin American countries, this date also takes on different forms. In Mexico, Chile and Argentina, large-scale public demonstrations are held every year, during which activists draw attention to the problem of violence against women and inequality in wages. At the same time, in China or Vietnam, March 8 is often accompanied by corporate events at enterprises and state programs to support women in business or education.
Thus, in recent years, International Women’s Day in the world has not had a single celebration scenario. In different societies, it combines official events, public initiatives, cultural events and family traditions that reflect local history and modern public discussions about the role of women in politics, the economy and everyday life.
How Public Opinion Differs in Ukraine
The popularity of the celebration of March 8 in Ukraine in recent years has shown a steady downward trend, reflecting deeper socio-cultural changes in society. Modern Ukrainians are reconsidering the meaning of this day, evaluating it not only as an opportunity to show attention to women, but also due to practical, economic and psychological factors related to everyday life and social transformations. Sociologists note that even those who plan to celebrate the holiday do so without the former scope and traditions, which reflects a change in priorities and attitudes towards Soviet and post-Soviet holidays in general.
According to data from a Rating Group survey conducted from February 26 to 28, 2026 among 1,000 Ukrainians, only 45% of respondents plan to celebrate March 8, while 52% said that this day will remain outside their plans. For comparison, in February 2021, the share of those who celebrated the holiday was 68%, which indicates a noticeable decline in popularity over the past five years. Analysis of indicators in various socio-demographic groups demonstrates that the decline is a nationwide phenomenon, and not the result of local characteristics.
At the same time, regional differences in the opinions expressed by Ukrainians are noteworthy. Residents of eastern Ukraine demonstrate the highest willingness to celebrate the holiday — 61%, in the south this figure is 51%, and in western and central regions the share of those planning a celebration fluctuates around 40–45%. The age factor also plays a role: men aged 36–50 are more likely to organize congratulations and gifts — 58%, while among women of the same age category this figure is only 42%.
Traditionally, March 8 was perceived as a day of attention to women in the family and at work, but the modern generation is changing these ideas. Middle-aged men adhere to the usual patterns — give flowers and small gifts, organize congratulations, while younger Ukrainians increasingly ignore the day or leave it as an ordinary working day. At the same time, the transformation of the perception of the holiday is facilitated by social networks and modern mass culture, where the former solemnity is lost, and the modern form of congratulations acquires a more personalized, informal character.
Economic and social factors also influence the popularity of March 8. High inflation, rising prices, and limited incomes force citizens to prioritize their daily family needs over mass celebrations. The war and its long-term consequences further discourage large-scale celebrations—even those who previously celebrated the holiday actively are now limited to symbolic gestures of attention.
In addition to economic reasons, cultural and psychological orientations are changing. Ukrainians are increasingly focusing on personal holidays—birthdays, anniversaries, and family events—while collective Soviet traditions are losing their significance. Thus, statistics show that the celebration of March 8 among Ukrainians is gradually changing its form and content: it is becoming less mass, more symbolic, and personalized. Sociologists predict that in the coming years this day will be celebrated mainly by small groups of the population, and its former scale and social role will continue to gradually decline.
It is noteworthy that the trade union of educators was one of the first to actively insist on a modern and meaningful celebration of International Women’s Day in schools, namely without stereotypical scenarios and “traditional bouquets on a list.” However, such selective activism turns a serious institution into a one-time action, which instead of effectively protecting the labor rights of educators chooses the safe role of curator of school scenarios. While educational leaders are stubbornly fighting against “bouquets on a list” and holiday lines, real problems — from shamefully low salaries to total bureaucratic pressure — remain beyond the scope of trade union attention.
As we can see, Ukraine is now at a crossroads, where one path leads to the preservation of the “good old March 8” with its ideological roots, and the other to the creation of a new tradition based on respect for its own history and outstanding figures. Although there are different views on March 8 in Ukrainian society and the date of its official celebration has not yet been determined, a significant part of citizens express support for the preservation of this day, emphasizing its international significance and the desire to personally congratulate women.
The editorial staff of the IA “FAKT” agency joins in these congratulations and wishes Ukrainian women peace, sincere love and attention from men and children in everyday life.
