International Women’s Day, celebrated on March 8th each year, is more than just a date on the calendar; it’s a global day of recognition that highlights the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. It also serves as a call to action for accelerating gender parity and addressing the challenges women face worldwide.

This day celebrates the indomitable spirit of women who have broken barriers, challenged stereotypes, and made significant contributions to society, despite facing discrimination and inequality.

Second-Class Citizen

Throughout history, it has been very clear that the form of government and the perspective of political power, that is, the executives, have determined the speech and actions in the area of women’s rights and children’s rights in a country. However, in this patriarchal world where political power is almost entirely composed of men, unfortunately, the development of human rights and women’s rights has not occurred in the same time period. Indeed, the history of legal texts that would secure human rights dates back to the late 1700s. But, unfortunately, women were not considered human.

Freedom Wars

After Martin Luther King‘s criticisms of the Catholic Church, the nobility and clergy possessing extensive privileges and their political, economic, and social pressure on society led to the proclamation of the American Declaration of Independence in America in 1776.

With the French Revolution in 1789 (La Déclaration des droits de l’Homme et du citoyen), it was argued that the main goal of the state should be to realize human rights; freedoms must be secured by laws. And the French won their freedom. These declarations are marked as important steps taken in the name of human rights.

It is funny though. In French, the word “freedom” is “la liberté,” which is feminine. And in the famous French Revolution painting, a woman carries the flag for this reason. However, women still did not find a place within the concept of “human”. Even though the pages of the calendar have advanced significantly, societies continue to see humans as consisting only of men, just like in ancient Greece.

March 8, All Women’s Day

Considering that this Declaration, which is a pioneer in terms of human rights worldwide, does not explicitly protect the rights of women, Olympe de Gouges and her friends publish a new Declaration specifically for women’s rights, making the first protest. Gouges argues that men’s dominance over women is the source of all forms of inequality. The famous saying, “If a woman has the right to mount the scaffold, she should also have the right to mount the rostrum,” belongs to her.

The seeds of March 8, which today witnesses impactful actions almost all over the world, were planted in 1908 when 15,000 working women in New York demanded shorter working hours, higher wages, and the right to vote. A year later, the American Socialist Party declared March 8 as National Women’s Day. The first person to propose internationalizing this special day was Clara Zetkin.

A Different Leader

While women across Europe were fighting for the right to vote and be elected, the founder of a newly born country was holding women in high esteem, despite being a man! Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, appreciated the role of women in society and civilization to the extent of saying, “Everything we see in the world is the work of women.” He perceived women’s rights as an element of Westernization and modernization. Indeed, no male leader in any country has been seen to be so sensitive to women’s rights. This also makes him one of the rare feminist male leaders in world history.

With the Turkish Civil Code adopted in 1926, women’s citizenship rights were made equal to men’s. As seen in a famous photo from the protests of the era, women around the world are inspired by Turkey, creating a domino effect on women’s rights.

The birth of March 8 may be based on the struggle of working women. Yet, women have always been fighting for freedom in every aspect of life and continue to do so. Therefore, we can say that the subject of women’s freedom struggle is not just working women, but women of every class. This rule is even valid for goddesses and witches.

In the Footsteps of the Woman in Mythology

Mythology offers us dozens of stories and characters regarding this. We can trace the history and definition of women through mythology. The myth tells a sacred story. It’s about an event that happened in the oldest times, unique to the “beginning” of tales. It usually starts with a “creation” story: explaining how something was created, and how it began to exist. The characters in myths are Supernatural Beings. They are known for what they did in that unique “beginning” time. Myths reveal their creative activity and showcase the sacredness (or just the “supernatural” aspect) of their actions. As Mircea Eliade would likely agree, humans owe their current condition to following the footsteps of these Supernatural Beings. They have acquired mortality, gender, and the property of being a cultural being by taking these Supernatural Interventions as examples.

The stories of goddesses and witches have always been an important part of many cultures and religions. These mythical and mystical women archetypes represent femininity, power, and wisdom, providing valuable lessons for women. From the fierce warrior goddesses of ancient Greece to the Salem Witch Trials, their stories can teach us about the different aspects of womanhood and the challenges we may face in our lives, even today. By exploring the stories of these powerful female figures, we can see how the point of view towards the concept of woman never changes. And we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us. For a better future.

Why the Persecution of Witches is Still Relevant to Women’s Day Today

The persecution and burning of witches is a dark chapter in human history, particularly in Europe during the early modern period. Many historians argue that this phenomenon was related to the patriarchal and sexist attitudes that prevailed in society at the time. Women who were accused of witchcraft were often marginalized members of society, such as single women, widows, or midwives, who were seen as a threat to the social order and male authority.

The witch hunts were often conducted by men who held positions of power in society, such as judges, magistrates, and priests, who used their authority to oppress women and reinforce gender roles.

The burning of witches is a part of the history of the war on women. We should remember it. Because it highlights the historical oppression of women. Also, how patriarchal attitudes have been used to justify violence against women. Most importantly, it serves as a reminder. Feminist activism is not just a contemporary issue. It has a long and complex history that continues to shape our understanding of gender and power today.

A Pantheon Packed With Girl Power

Many consider Lilith to be the first feminist in history due to her refusal to submit to Adam’s dominance in Jewish folklore. She demands equality, rejecting the subordinate role traditionally assigned to women. Her departure from Eden symbolizes a stand against patriarchal structures, advocating for women’s autonomy and equality. Lilith’s legend embodies the spirit of feminist resistance, challenging oppressive norms and inspiring generations to question and fight for gender equality in their societies.

Others made Medusa a symbol of feminism, which they saw as a victim of a male-dominated society. Originally a victim of Poseidon’s assault and Athena’s punishment, her narrative has evolved. Feminists reclaim Medusa, viewing her not as a monster, but as a symbol of female rage and resistance against male violence. Her image empowers women, encouraging them to embrace their strength and stand against oppression, making her a powerful symbol of feminist resilience and defiance.

But one powerful female figure emerges as a feminist icon too; the goddess Artemis.

Artemis: The Feminist Goddess

In Greek mythology, Artemis was the virgin goddess of the hunt, wilderness, childbirth, virginity, and protector of young girls. She is a fierce, independent woman who refuses to conform to traditional gender roles. Instead, she lives in the forest with her band of female hunters, and the nymphs, and has no interest in marriage or motherhood.

As the goddess of the hunt, Artemis was revered by hunters and regarded as a protector of wildlife. The Greeks associated Artemis with the Moon her Roman equivalent, Diana, was the goddess of the moon.

Artemis is famous for her physical strength and courage, as well as her determination to protect women from harm. She was a guardian of young girls, ensuring their safety and helping them navigate the transition into womanhood. In many ways, Artemis embodied the traits that we associate with modern feminism. Such as independence, strength, and a commitment to protecting women’s rights.

Her refusal to conform to traditional gender roles and her dedication to protecting women from harm can inspire those fighting for gender equality today.