Women make up more than half of the world's population, so what was the point in creating International Women's Day? The initiative came from Clara Zetkin, a German Socialist, who argued that a special day was necessary to unite the efforts of women around the world to enjoy the same rights as men. The first International Women's Day was observed in 1911. The United Nations in 1975 declared International Women's Day to be March 8. Girls and women face barriers due to their gender whether they live in rich or poor countries. And they are fighting back across the world, working to improve their own lives and those of their mothers, sisters, daughters - and all of society.