This year’s theme for the International Day,"Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world", celebrates the tremendous efforts by women and girls around the world in shaping a more equal future and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. It is also aligned with the priority theme of the 65th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, "Women in public life, equal participation in decision making."

International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women, who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities.

Secure land rights for women contributes to the realization of fundamental human rights, improves food and nutrition security, and reduces poverty in rural areas. Women’s equal access to land is vital in guaranteeing the human right to adequate food, shelter, non-discrimination and equality, as well as other fundamental human rights. Moreover, women’s right to land is central to their economic empowerment, as the basis for food production and income generation, as collateral for credit, and as a means of holding savings for the future. Women’s control over land extends their capabilities, expands their negotiating power, and enhances their ability to address vulnerability.

Organizations around the world are using International Women's Day 2021 to showcase efforts to fight for women's land rights and to underscore the great deal of work yet to be done.