For most of my life, I never felt the need to celebrate International Women’s Day. I always thought it was strange that women had just one day a year to be recognized. If women are equal, why should they need a designated day? Shouldn’t they be celebrated every day? I never identified as a feminist nor saw the value in symbolic gestures. But this year, things feel different.
A Changing Landscape: Why This Year Feels Different
In the past year, the rollback of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) policies in the U.S. has shifted the conversation on gender equality. Initiatives meant to foster inclusivity and equal opportunities for women, particularly in male-dominated fields, are being dismantled. While some argue that these policies were unnecessary, the reality is that they played a crucial role in leveling the playing field. Without them, many women will face new barriers to advancement.
As someone working in security, a field where women remain underrepresented, I have started to see why days like March 8th matter. Not because they serve as a replacement for everyday recognition but because they highlight what is at stake when gender equality is taken for granted.
Women in the Danube Delta: The Engine of Their Communities
During my research trips in the Danube Delta, I have seen firsthand how integral women are to the survival of their communities. A friend of mine there put it simply: “Women are the engine.”
In villages like Letea, Somova, and Sfântu Gheorghe, women are caregivers and economic drivers. They manage households, work in tourism, agriculture, and fisheries, and preserve local traditions. Their resilience keeps these isolated communities functioning. Yet, their contributions are often undervalued. Many women face financial instability, limited access to resources, and the expectation to shoulder domestic and economic burdens without recognition.
On a global scale, these women’s struggles mirror the broader challenges women face in underrepresented and underserved communities. Their work is essential, but too often, it remains invisible. If anything, International Women’s Day should serve as a reminder to bring visibility to these stories.
Why March 8th Matters Now More Than Ever
This year, March 8th is not just about celebration; it is about recognizing that gender equality is not a given. It is about acknowledging that when policies regress, recognition fades, and opportunities shrink, women bear the brunt of the impact.
For the first time, I see International Women’s Day not as a token holiday but as a necessary reminder that forces us to ask difficult questions: Are we truly making progress, or are we complacent in assuming that gender equality has already been achieved?
Beyond a Single Day: What Comes Next?
One day is not enough to change the reality that many women face, but it can serve as a catalyst. Moving forward, we need to think beyond symbolic gestures. We need to create tangible opportunities, amplify women’s voices, and recognize their contributions, not just in corporate offices and policy discussions but in places like the Danube Delta, where their work sustains entire communities.
This March 8th, I choose to acknowledge International Women’s Day, not because I believe women should only be celebrated once a year, but because now, more than ever, we need to make sure they are seen every day.