'Queen' Sounds Nices, But We Want Real Equality

In recent years, the fading use of the term Goddess Day reflects a deeper awakening among Chinese women. As businesses push flower gift boxes and social media overflows with labels like queen and goddess, many women are growing more cautious—wondering if these glamorous, sugary tributes might be overshadowing the true meaning of International Women's Day.

Looking back at history, International Women's Day has never been a simple or sweet celebration. It began with the 1908 garment workers’ protest in New York and was marked by the 1975 Icelandic strike, where 90% of women united to demand gender equality. This day carries the legacy of women’s struggles for the right to education, the right to work, and political participation. When we replace “women” with “goddess,” we risk framing these ongoing battles through a consumerist lens—masking serious issues like the glass ceiling, career interruptions from childbirth, and the trauma faced by survivors of sexual violence. These challenges won’t disappear with an empty label.

The encouraging reality is that more and more women are rejecting the objectification implied by the “goddess” label—a role that suggests they need protection rather than empowerment. They are educating others about the true history of International Women’s Day on social media, marching with banners that declare, “Don’t pamper us, give us equality,” and actively fighting for equal pay in the workplace. This awakening doesn’t reject feminine charm; instead, it affirms that genuine respect isn’t about being placed on a pedestal and handed flowers, but about securing the rights every person deserves as an equal. Removing the “goddess” label isn’t a rejection of beauty but a choice to fight for the freedom to fully develop as a woman. This, truly, is the best way to honor the pioneering women of over a century ago.