March 8 2025, is International Women’s Day celebrating this year with the theme “For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.”

In 1995, the Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action, adopted unanimously by 189 countries, was an agenda for women’s empowerment which is now considered the key global policy document on gender equality. UNITED SIKHS celebrates the resilient spirit of women around the world on International Women’s Day. Every day, tenacity, compassion, and insight strengthen communities celebrating women who changed the world.

Support for equal rights for women has been a part of the Sikh culture and beliefs from the inception of the Sikh religion more than 500 years ago. The Sikh consciousness realized these ideas which the world is only now debating. “In Sikhi, women are equal to their male counterparts. Guru Nanak, the first guru of Sikhs, clearly commands that women are equal. “They may have played different roles from men as mothers, daughters, wives, sisters, but they are nevertheless equal in the political and civic sense,” states Jagdeep Singh, Executive Director at UNITED SIKHS.

Mata Gujri Kaur, Matriarch of the Sikh faith

Sikh history is littered with women exemplifying these ideals starting with Mata Gujri Kaur, the Matriarch of the Sikh faith. She helped guide the Sikh Panth after the martyrdom of the ninth Guru while inspiring and molding the Sahibzaade and the tenth Guru himself. Mai Bhago led Sikh soldiers into battle herself against the Mughals and rallied the Chali Mukte by bringing them back to the righteous fight. Countless other women in the 18th and 19th centuries sacrificed their own children rather than give up on their faith, setting examples for the world to follow. We pay tribute to these women who helped change the world around them long before their global peers.

Mai Bhago

We also recognize some of our contemporary peers making a difference everyday. Wanda Sanchez Day, the first UNITED SIKHS female Chief Legal Officer and National Legal Director says, “Equal rights means full access to the rights and responsibilities of living in a democratic society, free of discrimination based on gender. Wanda has a long history of working for the public good, representing hundreds of clients and donating thousands of hours for free in cases related to housing, immigration, and employment. This work has supported economic justice, immigration reform, and protections against discrimination and harassment, particularly for women and workers.

Along this line and as we traverse in this generation of prolific dependence on artificial intelligence, it is noteworthy to recognize stories of amazing women who helped shape the future:

Malala Yousafzai’s story is both inspiring and impactful. She has become a global advocate for girls’ education, using her experience to push for systemic change and to raise awareness about the importance of education for young girls worldwide.

After surviving the Taliban’s attack in 2012, Malala’s voice grew even stronger, representing the millions of girls denied the right to learn. Her efforts have been widely recognized which highlights the global reach of her work and the significant strides being made in the fight for educational equality.

Rupi Kaur the Canadian poet, illustrator, photographer, and author was born in Punjab, India, on 4 October 1992. Kaur emigrated to Canada with her parents to escape the persecution of Sikhs when she was three years old.

Kaur says that it is important to her that the literature she writes is powerful and connects with the readers. Kaur’s journey of empowerment resonates with young women who hear their own fears and joys echoed for the first time. It gives them a chance to fight back and stand out as uniquely as possible. Kaur lets her readers be flawed, vulnerable, and still complete, as she is. She is a powerful messenger for women without a voice, fighting for attention to these taboos of society through her art.

Women are not just historical figures, they are present day sources of inspiration. To Accelerate Action for women’s equality requires a multi-pronged approach that addresses systemic barriers, social norms, and power dynamics.

Guided by the Sikh principle of Sewa (selfless service), empowered women play a vital role in fostering a community based on equality, justice, and compassion. In Sikhism, Sewa is seen as a key value that transcends gender, class, and social standing. It emphasizes selflessness and humility, urging individuals to serve others without expecting anything in return.

As we look back on the journey of women’s rights it is clear that we have made significant progress. Each step forward no matter how small is a victory worth celebrating. Women have fought hard for their rights and their efforts have led to important changes in society. Laws have been created to protect women’s rights and more women are taking on leadership roles in various fields. This progress shows that when people work together for a common goal they can achieve greater heights.