Ukrainian Lawmakers Propose Replacing March 8th with Ukrainian Women's Day on February 25th

Proposal to Replace March 8th Holiday

According to Главком: A bill has been submitted to Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, proposing to replace the March 8th International Women's Day with a new holiday called 'Ukrainian Women's Day,' to be celebrated on February 25th. The initiative, detailed in draft law No. 15052, was introduced by MPs Oksana Savchuk and Rostyslav Tistyk. The news was reported by 'Glavcom,' citing the official parliamentary website. This move is part of a broader cultural and political shift in Ukraine following Russia's full-scale invasion.

The explanatory note to the bill states that the March 8th holiday was established in 1921 on the initiative of Clara Zetkin.

"To this day, March 8th-the so-called 'International Women's Day,' established by the occupying Moscow regime to popularize its own view on the role and place of women-remains an official day off at the state level. It was implemented in connection with the start of the February Revolution in Russia in 1917,"

the note explains.

Ukrainian Women's Day and Other Legislative Bills

The proposed new holiday on February 25th coincides with the birthday of the renowned Ukrainian poetess Lesya Ukrainka. In a separate legislative matter, the Verkhovna Rada had also considered a controversial bill regarding the possibility of marriage from the age of 14 under certain conditions. However, Parliament Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk clarified that this specific provision was subsequently removed from the draft law.

The proposal to change the holiday has sparked debate among lawmakers, indicating a drive to reconsider traditional celebratory dates in Ukraine. This reflects ongoing efforts to forge a distinct national identity rooted in Ukrainian values and traditions. The choice of Lesya Ukrainka's birthday underscores the cultural significance of Ukrainian women and can be seen as a step in the broader process of decolonizing national holidays and symbols.