March 8: The History of International Working Women’s Day in the Philippines and Internationally

Written by Dimple Paz, Edited by Jovie Galit | Photo credit: Francis R. Malasig

March 8, International Working Women’s Day, commemorates over a century of struggle by working-class women in different parts of the world for their rights.  

Capitalism was at its peak in the early 20th century in Western countries. Along with the rapid advancement of technology, the surge in production, and the accumulation of capital in enterprises came the systematic exploitation of the working class, including women workers.  

This situation pushed women workers to organize themselves and take action to change their dire conditions—they formed unions and went on strike against capitalists. At the same time, various socialist workers’ organizations were established across Europe and the United States. 

Photo credit: Zuma Press, Inc./Alamy

In 1910, an international conference was convened by socialist organizations from different parts of the world. The Second International, an organization of socialist and labor parties, held a meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark, in August 1910—the International Socialist Congress.

Alongside this meeting, the Second International Conference of Socialist Women took place, attended by over 100 women from 17 countries.  

At this conference, Clara Zetkin, a German socialist, proposed the establishment of an International Women’s Day as a tribute to the global women’s movement against capitalism and in remembrance of the women workers’ strike in New York. Following the Second International Women’s Declaration, the first International Women’s Day was celebrated in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland on March 19, 1911.  

More than one million women and men took to the streets in protest, calling for labor rights, an end to discrimination, and women’s suffrage (the right to vote and be elected).  

On March 25, 1911, a tragic fire occurred at the Triangle Shirtwaist Company in New York City, known as the “Tragic Triangle Fire.” A total of 146 women workers, mostly Italian and Jewish immigrants, perished in the fire, including young girls aged 13-14.  

The Women’s Trade Union League and the International Ladies’ Garment Workers Union led protests to condemn the tragedy, including a silent funeral attended by over 100,000 people. The Triangle Fire had a significant impact on American labor legislation.  

The appalling working conditions that led to this disaster continued to be highlighted in subsequent International Women’s Day celebrations worldwide.  

The Role of Russian Women Workers in the Movement  

The most historic contribution to the women’s movement came from Russian women workers during the Russian Revolution. Even before the revolution, Russian women workers led strikes as early as the 1870s.  

In March 1913 (the last week of February in the Julian calendar used in Russia), on the eve of World War I, Russian women workers marked the first celebration of International Women’s Day, protesting against imperialist aggression and the fascist rule of the Tsar (the Russian monarch).  

On March 8, 1917 (February 23, 1917, in the Julian calendar), led by striking women textile workers, 90,000 workers took to the streets of Petrograd (now Saint Petersburg), storming the Duma (the Russian municipal assembly). They carried the call for “bread and peace”, demanding an end to war, economic hardship, and the downfall of the Tsar**—an uprising that became known as the February Revolution.  

Due to the crucial role of Russian women workers and the victory of the Russian Revolution, March 8 was officially declared International Women’s Day by the Soviet government.  

In December 1977, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution declaring March 8 United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace, formally recognized as International Women’s Day.  

March 8 in the Philippines  

The spirit of March 8 in the Philippines traces back to the struggle of Filipino women against Spanish colonialism. This was exemplified by the bravery of Gabriela Silang and Gregoria de Jesus against the Spanish, Teresa Magbanua’s heroism against American forces during the Philippine-American War, and the martyrdom of Lisa Balando, a woman worker, and Lorena Barros, a women’s movement leader during the Martial Law era. Thousands of women have since continued to fight for their rights and freedom.  

However, March 8 as a militant women’s protest in the Philippines only began during the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos, driven by extreme poverty and exploitation.  

The first International Women’s Day protest in the Philippines was held on March 8, 1971, led by MAKIBAKA (Makabayang Kilusan ng Bagong Kababaihan or Patriotic Movement of New Women) and KATIPUNAN (Katipunan ng Bagong Kababaihan or Assembly of New Women). Hundreds of young women and mothers from urban poor communities joined the protest, condemning low wages for women workers and inhumane working conditions.  

Photo credit: AP Aperture/ Manila Today

When Marcos declared Martial Law, the open mobilization of women’s movements was suppressed as MAKIBAKA was declared illegal. Despite this, it continued to operate underground, organizing women in communities, factories, and rural areas.  

With the founding of GABRIELA in October 1984, the militant commemoration of March 8 as International Working Women’s Day was revived nationwide. The continued militant struggle of Filipino women across the country for their basic rights awakened more workers, peasants, and urban poor women to the importance of collective action, women’s organizations, and alliances with other oppressed sectors to advance their interests.  

During the dictatorship, more than 10,000 women marched to Mendiola to protest against oppression, repression, human rights violations, poverty, and rampant corruption. The October 28, 1983, protest laid the groundwork for the National Women’s Day of Protest, now annually led by GABRIELA.  

These significant events trained women leaders and strengthened organizations, paving the way for a broader and more united movement for women’s rights.  

Lessons from this Historic Day  

History has proven that only through militant and tireless action can women achieve their basic rights and legitimate demands. The ruling class—capitalists and the state—will never willingly grant these rights, such as job security, social services, and protection from violence.  

Amid the deepening global crisis, women’s continued militant action is necessary to resist the intensified attacks on wages, jobs, and livelihoods caused by neoliberal policies that push people into deeper poverty.  

At the same time, women must fight against political repression, militarization, imperialist intervention, wars of aggression, and foreign intrusion, which further expose women to danger and exploitation.  

Now, more than ever, women must intensify their struggle and embody the spirit of March 8 to achieve genuine change toward a prosperous, progressive, safe, and free society for all women and people.  

Sources: 

• Kasaysayan ng Marso 8, Center for Women’s Resources, May 7, 2023, https://centerforwomensresources.org/blog/2023/03/07/kasaysayan-ng-marso-8/ 

• History of International Women’s Day, International Womens Day https://www.internationalwomensday.com/Activity/15586/The-history-of-IWD