Italy marks Giornata Internazionale della Donna on 8 March.

Italy marks International Women's Day on Saturday 8 March as part of a global move to uphold women's achievements and focus greater attention on women's rights and gender equality.

Free museums for women

On 8 March women will have free entry to Italy's state museums and archaeological sites, with numerous cultural events being held in Rome, Milan, Florence and other Italian cities.

8 March demonstrations

Dozens of rallies - organised variously by the feminist movement Non una di meno, trade unions, students and other associations - are scheduled to take place in cities around Italy on 8 March.

8 March general strike

The Giornata Internazionale della Donna coincides with a national general strike, affecting regional rail transport, education and healthcare services, in protest over violence against women and demands for women's rights and gender equality.

Casa Internazionale Delle Donne

In the Casa Internazionale delle Donne, on Via della Lungara 19 in Rome's Trastevere district, hosts a photographic exhibition entitled La Versione di Eva and the presentation of a stamp dedicated to Italian politician Maria Lisa Ciciari Rodano who died in 2023 aged 102.

Mimosa

The traditional gift to women on 8 March in Italy is mimosa, with Italian florists normally selling around 13 million sprigs of the bright yellow flower on the day each year.

Origins of International Women's Day

International Women's Day (IWD) is a global holiday celebrated annually on 8 March as a focal point in the women's rights movement, bringing attention to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women.

Its origins date back to 1908, when 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter working hours, better pay and the right to vote. A year later, the Socialist Party of America declared the first National Woman's Day.

The annual day has been recognised by the United Nations since 1977.

We will update this article in the days leading up to 8 March. Photo: Vincenzo Nuzzolese / Shutterstock.com.