08/03/2026
Human civilisation is estimated to be around 200,000 years old.
Yet many of the fundamental rights women have today exist for only about 100 years — just 0.05% of human history.
In the 19th century women could be arrested for wearing trousers.
American physician and scientist Mary Edwards Walker was repeatedly arrested simply for refusing to wear “acceptable” women’s clothing.
Activists like Amelia Bloomer challenged restrictive dress codes and argued that women deserved freedom of movement and independence.
In Britain, suffragette leader Emmeline Pankhurst and thousands of women were imprisoned for demanding the right to vote.
In the United States, Susan B. Anthony was arrested in 1872 for attempting to vote.
In the UK women gained the right to vote partially in 1918 and equally with men in 1928.
Everything we have today was once fought for by women before us.
100% of the freedoms we live with today exist because someone else fought for them.
So today is not only about celebration.
It is about memory.
And about responsibility — to keep building a fairer world for the generations that come after us.
Happy International Women’s Day.
Truly yours,
Women & the World International Film Festival 🌹
