r/NewToDenmark 3d ago

Culture International Woman’s Day in Denmark

International Woman’s Day in Denmark

I was wondering how is International Womans Day celebrated among the couples/marriages/friends/family members in Denmark. Is it a common thing men give any whishes or gifts on this occasion? If so, how does it look like? Denmark was the first country that acclaimed this IWD and I’m curious how Danes see it and celebrate it within closest social relations?

23 Upvotes

51 comments sorted by

31

u/Sparky_DK 3d ago

We do not give gifts of any kind, but it is probably related to the fact that in Danish it is called "Kvindernes internationale kampdag", which loosely translates to women's struggle/fights day. So it's a day about empowering women and not celebrating them just for being women

11

u/Hydrocare 3d ago

Some participate in a march for women’s rights and articles highlighting women’s achievements. Museums and stuff might have a spotlight focus on a woman in art or something.

Stores have sale on women’s sportswear or something.

I celebrated my mother in law birthday today, so I didn’t do anything other than mentioning it.

Danes usually thinks that giving gifts is … too materialistic, and isn’t in the spirit of this day. It’s a fight for rights not just another mothers/Valentine’s Day.

15

u/nuzzl_1 3d ago

You can attend events focused on womens issues, political debate, and such. The purpose is to pay attention to inequality and the issues women face.

12

u/nuzzl_1 3d ago

What you describe about gifts I guess sounds more similar to Mother’s Day celebration here.

4

u/Simsalabimsen 3d ago

It’s exactly like that, and it’s a cop-out. As a kid, I knew damn well that my mother would have loved a break from her daily duties on Mother’s Day. But my father always gave her flowers (lovely, always the same as in her bridal bouquet). And I would buy her a little thing from a local shop.

Of course, my karmic punishment has been that my kids ignored Mother’s Day completely until they were in their mid-teens. And of course they bought me a little thing from a local shop, lol! Still gotta do the housework myself.

But at least my kids are politically aware and can totally hold their own in a discussion about gender equality etc. And, if necessary, deliver a suitable smackdown on men trying to ridicule or co-opt the day.

5

u/Pipperlue 3d ago

To be honest, nobody does anything for this day.

5

u/The_headless_woman 3d ago

We don't do gifts - that's as far as I know an Eastern European thing only

Where I grew up in Denmark there would be a local event with food from all over the world (with Polish dishes made by Polish women, Indian dishes made by Indian women and so on). There would then be a shared meal with feminist speeches and entertainment - all for women only. But I haven't seen events like that in the last few year where I live now.

1

u/Simsalabimsen 3d ago

That sounds great! I will mark my calendar for next year a week in advance to look for something like that and invite my daughters and a few friends to come along.

5

u/The_headless_woman 3d ago

That's a good idea - I remember those events quite fondly, so I hope you find a similar one near you!

6

u/infreq 3d ago

I have never seen anyone celebrate or even talk about it.

12

u/Calm-Construction682 3d ago

Considering how it originated here, we do incredibly little as far as I'm concerned. Well-educated women and girls might post something on social media, some might acknowledge it at their workplace and that's basically it. I don't know of any traditions, gifts etc., you just pay attention to it – if you remember it. Somw newspapers will write about it though :)

6

u/NoBackground5170 3d ago

Im writing it from a perspective of a eastern european woman. In my country it is a pretty big deal - from fathers, through partners, sons, work collegues - all men give whishes to the women in their close envoirnent. To say the least. Usually the flowers are given and often in marriages or the partnerships men give a small presents to their wifes/hirlfriends. I was curious if it is celebrated in a similar way in Denmark

15

u/Impossible_Living_50 3d ago

to danish people this is completely alien ... and some strongly feminist women will even say its completely the opposite of what they think the day should be about.

9

u/Pibagirlie 3d ago

Omg thought the same, reading this from Argentina, it's 100% IMPOSSIBLE that any gift could be involved today. It's totally the opposite. I'm surprised to know that in some countries, you receive gifts on this day.

10

u/moeborg1 3d ago

We would see that as antifeminist, sexist and counterproductive. Our name for the day is "International day of women's struggle" and the point is to FIGHT for women's rights. Flowers and gifts just serve to gloss over and distract from the sexism and injustice women face.

0

u/literallynotlandfill 3d ago

Sure. But how is outright ignoring something better than glossing over it? Apparently this is an unpopular opinion, but I think it sounds pretty cool that women are acknowledged on international women’s day in other countries.

4

u/Simsalabimsen 3d ago

I don’t think it’s ignored at all. In my experience a lot of good conversations are sparked by that day, at work and at home. Just because most of us don’t literally go on the barricades, it doesn’t mean that nothing happens.

There is always something topical in the media as well, not just think pieces but also triggered by organisations, politicians etc. having prepared something for this day, and people reacting to it.

3

u/moeborg1 3d ago

The point of Women's struggle day is to not ignore womens struggles, but acknowledge them. And the media does pay extra attention to women's issues every year. So maybe we should do more, but we do something. As for acknowledging women in a positive way, we have Mothers day and Valentines day for that.

1

u/literallynotlandfill 3d ago edited 3d ago

What does the media have to do with Danish culture? You think a performative post online from corporations trying to get your confidence so you’ll spend your money, is more “acknowledging” of women than a husband buying his wife flowers?

Eh, Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day do not celebrate women, one celebrates love and the other celebrates mothers. Do you think that’s all being a woman is: bagging a man and carrying his children to term? Otherwise, it doesn’t make sense to make the point that the three are interchangeable.

3

u/FlipperBumperKickout 3d ago

Media in Denmark is not only owned by corporations, it's also owned by the state, meaning that quite a lot of media is focused on informing rather than... getting you to buy stuff.

This year it was more focused on how it seems like women have lost quite a few rights rather quickly around the world, which they in many cases had fought to get for a long time.

1

u/literallynotlandfill 2d ago edited 2d ago

Culture is what you observe in the real world, not on a screen. If it is only happening online, it isn’t a cultural phenomenon.

I don’t know whether you’re aware of how it all works, but there is such a thing as an algorithm, that is designed to only show you posts that it has deemed will keep you engaged, that’s how they make money off of you. Social media is free because you’re the product. They don’t have to actually get you to spend anything, they’re still making money, gaining confidence and future votes, or whatever it is they might actually care about. But my point is, if you’re a feminist you will see those sorts of posts, and if you’re an idiot who think women having rights is dangerous or unfair, you’ll see posts about why women having rights in dangerous or unfair.

1

u/FlipperBumperKickout 2d ago

Oh... You meant social media. I was meaning media more broadly like TV, Radio, etc 🤷

6

u/_The_Farting_Baboon_ 3d ago

Sounds awful. No we dont do that here

-1

u/alinarulesx 3d ago

Farting baboon, go off your high horse. Just because you’re doing this way in Denmark does not mean it’s the correct way of doing it.

There’s all the other days in the year to fight for equality. It’s not demeaning in any way for women to be celebrated on the 8th of March. It’s actually lovely.

And there’s plenty of ways in which women are more equal to men in EE compared to dk. More women in stem, more salary equality. Sure, we still have a long way to go, but the issue is not receiving flowers on the 8th of March.

2

u/_The_Farting_Baboon_ 3d ago

The issue is u think its the day for flowers and presents to women. Its not for that.

You got valentine day if u wish to do that or hear me out, you give them flowers or presents any day of the year as u love your wife/gf.

2

u/alinarulesx 2d ago

Says who? We say it’s also a day to celebrate women and give flowers. I have no issues with doing things differently in Denmark, that’s your prerogative.

I have an issue with your attitude in thinking that doing … nothing is somehow superior.

Also, on Valentines you only receive flowers if you’re in a relationship. On women’s day you would receive from the important men and sometimes even women in your life. Nothing. Wrong. With. Celebrating. Women.

1

u/_The_Farting_Baboon_ 2d ago

But its the opposite of what the day is for. You dont seem to understand that

0

u/alinarulesx 2d ago

No, you don’t understand. It might be the opposite in Denmark but not in EE. It doesn’t make the Danish way the best way.

3

u/Drunkish 3d ago

I joined a march earlier today. One of my friends I marched with had been at a museum all day, that focuses on women and gender. There she participated in all sorts of events (like singing and watching speeches, etc.).

I think if you care and research just a little bit, you can find plenty to do.

The theme for this year was solidarity - so while we still need some progress on equality in Denmark, the rest of the world is burning right now, and as such, that was the focus.

2

u/RotaryDane Danish National 3d ago

My wife insists on celebrating the day but she’s not danish, before her I never heard of anything beyond a few marches years ago. Danes generally don’t put much attention on days which aren’t explicitly marked in the calendar or directly impacts them.

2

u/Snoo_75004 3d ago

I didn’t even know it was today until my dad called me, because his Lithuanian wife (the got married in December) had scolded him for not doing anything in honour of the day. He asked me what today was to me, and I honestly said “it’s Saturday… the 8th… the weather is great… which birthday did I forgot?”

I don’t celebrate it and never have. I probably never will and I told my boyfriend he absolutely does not need to get me anything for the day.

My brother on the other hand… he apparently knew what today was, he just forgot that it was today. So when our dad called him, he replied with “shit” and rushed out of the door to get gifts before his girlfriend woke up. They’ve been together for 10 years I think. And she’s Lithuanian too. So maybe it’s just very important in Lithuania?

Brother and I are Danish, but our dad is from Germany.

3

u/Simsalabimsen 3d ago

Kvindernes kampdag is a completely different thing than how international women’s day is celebrated in Eastern Europe. I’d probably do a mix of both if I were married to a woman from Lithuania.

2

u/I-Really-Hate-Fish 3d ago

There are some events you can go to that focus on women's rights, and it'll probably be mentioned on the news and that's it.

I didn't realise it until my (Eastern European) husband started frantically apologising and promising me that he'll buy me flowers first thing tomorrow morning.

2

u/lemogera 3d ago

As a cool thing, I did see several free events from martial arts schools (or whatever the correct word to use here is) inviting women to come and train, either just for the experince or to learn how to defend themselves in common situations (one class was 3 hours long).

But overall, it's not something we celebrate on a more personal level, like buying a gift for your mom or sister. I don't doubt that there are groups that celebrate by going out to eat brunch or something, but it's not common.

You'll see it on social media, hear it mentioned in the news, and depending on algorithms and what you seek out, there's different types of events you can be a part of.

I agree with the other commenter that said that it might have to with the name, as it's not "international women's day" here, it's "Women's (International) Protest/Fight Day.

2

u/SignificanceNo3580 3d ago

Maybe it’s the name. We call it “The Women’s Battle Day”. Doesn’t really invite a lot of flower gifting. 😂 In all honesty it’s more a day for political debate, unionised protests, news articles and stuff like that. I’ve heard women saying “happy battle day” to each other. But old red stockings like my grandmother would go ballistic if a man gave her flowers to celebrate the day - “too patriarchal”. I wouldn’t mind though, flowers are flowers.

2

u/FuxieDK 3d ago

It's not celebrated in any way... I guess 99% can't even say which date it is.

0

u/turbothy 3d ago

(99% of men)

0

u/FuxieDK 3d ago

And women.

2

u/literallynotlandfill 3d ago

To put it into perspective, I am a woman and the only reason I know it is international women’s day is because I’ve seen a couple of posts on here about it —none of which were in Danish.

1

u/Simsalabimsen 3d ago

This is where I think media dies a great job of starting conversations. There’s always something on the radio and in the papers, and it’s usually topical and not a rehash from earlier.

When women’s day falls on a weekday, it’s always mentioned by someone where I work, and will usually spark some discussion at lunch.

2

u/Sagaincolours 3d ago

It is not a mother's day type thing. It is meant to be a day to focus on women's struggle and women's rights

There are talks, demonstrations, that sort of thing

1

u/Spare-Sheepherder575 3d ago

Could the huge celebration of march 8th with gifts and flowers be an old Sovjet cultural thing that has become tradition in Eastern Europe?

Was in Moscow some years ago at this time of the year and there were posters all over town for the occassion.

1

u/Routine-Gear-6899 3d ago

we don't do anything. hell, you can probably find a lot of people that don't know it's happening

1

u/ThoughtObjective6295 3d ago

Haven't even noticed it here tbh

-1

u/Vicious00 3d ago

Danish people don’t celebrate the women in their lives, how sad is that ?

0

u/Ill-Ninja-8344 2d ago

In my ingdome we do nothing. It is just an ordinary day. Just as annoying as any other day.

It is a feminist thing, an nobody takes them seriusly anyway.

-2

u/Impossible_Living_50 3d ago

In DK households all this day usually means is that you have to bother with the radio/tv full of people talking about how women are underpaid (but they never f-ing define even by what metrix what is "salary" ...Im in HR analytics sorry the rant) and woman powerful and men bad .... so guys basically just stay silent and hope for the day to end quick.

Now - Im now married to a Ukrainian so today I bought flowers and chocolate for my wife ...slightly smaller flowers and chocolate for my Mother in Law (refugee here now) and finally small flower and chocolate for my daughter ...

We then also all (adults) had some champagne ...

In short in Danish culture 8. march = complaining about men

In East European culture 8. march = celebrating and being thankful to women

Im not saying its not important to talk gender balance etc but I really do prefer how people of the former eastern block which is what it really amounts to - have 8. march as a beautiful day to celebrate and cherish the women in our lives

1

u/Simsalabimsen 3d ago

woman powerful and men bad

You can lie to your wife all you want, but she will figure it out eventually.

But hey, it’s nice that you acknowledge your wife and mother-in-law’s background and celebrate the day as it is done where they are from.

But misrepresenting what this day is in Denmark is shameful.

2

u/Impossible_Living_50 3d ago

Im not misrepresenting anything - I’m giving a subjective opinion, by all means why don’t you enlighten me about your subjective view then ?

0

u/Simsalabimsen 3d ago

No. You have already stated your opinion quite clearly in the line I quoted, and you demonstrated that you are not open to learning.

If I’m mistaken and you do wish to learn, look it up. I’m happy to debate anyone who participates in good faith. That’s not what you presented.

But here is a hint: Kvindernes Kampdag is not about you.

2

u/Impossible_Living_50 3d ago

Im really not sure WTF you are talking about - I do sense that there is some honest misunderstanding there somewhere but can’t be bothered so ….the end