International Women’s Day: Celebrating Women While Demanding Better Support
Every year on March 8th, International Women’s Day (IWD) serves as a powerful reminder of women’s achievements and the progress made toward gender equality. It is a day of celebration, reflection, and advocacy. But for many women—especially those who are pregnant, postpartum, or navigating the challenges of new motherhood—true equality still feels out of reach.
As a perinatal mental health counsellor, I witness firsthand the struggles that so many women face during pregnancy and the postpartum period. From inadequate mental health support to inflexible parental leave policies and workplace discrimination, the reality for many mothers is a far cry from the progress we celebrate on IWD. If we truly want to honor women, we need to do more than just recognize their strength—we must demand better systems of care and protection.
The Gaps in Women’s Healthcare and Mental Health Support
Women’s health, particularly maternal health, remains woefully underfunded and undervalued in many parts of the world. Postnatal depression, birth trauma, and anxiety disorders are common, yet access to specialized perinatal mental health services is often limited. Many women struggle in silence, unsure of where to turn for help or fearing the stigma of admitting they are not coping.
The expectation that women should seamlessly transition into motherhood, without sufficient medical and psychological support, is both unfair and harmful. We need to expand access to perinatal mental health services, ensuring that all women—regardless of financial status—receive the care they need. Investing in maternal mental health is not just about supporting individual mothers; it is about safeguarding families and future generations.
A Flower Isn’t Enough
Last year on International Women’s Day, a local politician approached me with a bright pink flower and a rehearsed smile. “Happy Women’s Day,” he said, handing me the bloom as though it were a grand gesture. I forced a polite smile, but inside, I felt frustration bubbling.
A flower does not address the maternal mental health crisis. A flower does not offer better parental leave. A flower does not protect a woman from workplace discrimination when she announces her pregnancy. While gestures like these may be well-intentioned, they are ultimately hollow if not accompanied by meaningful action. IWD should be about real progress, not symbolic tokens.
Parental Leave Needs a Rethink
For too long, parental leave policies have failed to meet the real needs of families. Many countries still provide only minimal paid leave, forcing mothers to return to work before they are physically or emotionally ready. Others have policies that reinforce outdated gender roles, offering generous leave to mothers while giving fathers little to no time off.
True gender equality in parenting means offering both mothers and fathers substantial, flexible, and well-paid parental leave. This not only allows mothers to recover from childbirth but also fosters shared responsibility in caregiving. No woman should have to choose between her career and her child’s well-being because of inadequate leave policies.
Workplace Protection for Pregnant and Postpartum Women
Despite legal protections in some countries, workplace discrimination against pregnant and postpartum women persists. Women are still denied promotions, overlooked for opportunities, or even dismissed for taking maternity leave. Some fear disclosing their pregnancy to employers, knowing it could jeopardize their job security.
We need stronger legal protections to ensure that pregnant and postpartum women are not penalized for having children. Employers should be required to provide reasonable accommodations, flexible working arrangements, and support for breastfeeding mothers. A truly progressive society does not punish women for motherhood—it supports them through it.
Moving Beyond Celebration to Action
International Women’s Day is an opportunity to acknowledge the resilience and strength of women everywhere, but celebration alone is not enough. We must also use this day to advocate for change. Governments, healthcare systems, and workplaces all have a role to play in ensuring that women receive the support they deserve.
To all the women reading this: your health, your mental well-being, and your rights matter. To policymakers and employers: it’s time to step up and create real, lasting change. Let’s ensure that when we celebrate women, we do so not just with words but with action.
This International Women’s Day, let’s move beyond appreciation and toward transformation. Because when we support women—truly support them—everyone benefits.