United Nations Postal Administration marks International Women’s Day

By David Hartwig

The United Nations Postal Administration marks this year’s International Women’s Day, celebrated annually March 8, with six stamps issued in panes of 10.

Each of the six different panes of 10 features stamps from a different United Nations post office. Stamps denominated 73¢ and $1.65 are from the U.N. headquarters in New York City, stamps denominated 1 franc and 2.50fr are from the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, and €0.95 and €1.90 stamps are from the Vienna International Center in Vienna, Austria.

Each of the six stamp designs shows an illustration depicting a certain theme that is displayed in text running up the left side of the stamp. The theme of the 73¢ stamp is Planet; $1.65, Power; 1fr, Safety; 2.50fr, Prosperity; €0.95, Peace; and €1.90, Access.

The U.N. began commemorating International Women’s Day 50 years ago in 1975 and officially formalized the day in 1977. According to the U.N., International Women’s Day has roots back to the early 1900s, when the Socialist Party of America designated a day to honor a garment workers’ strike.

In addition to 50 years since the U.N. began commemorating International Women’s Day, 2025 marks 30 years since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action at the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995 in Beijing.

This platform, adopted by all 189 governments attending the conference, guides policies, programs and investment that impacts areas such as education, health, political participation, economic empowerment and the elimination of violence against women and girls.

The UNPA says that the platform “remains the most progressive and widely endorsed blueprint for women’s and girls’ rights worldwide.”

The International Women’s Day theme for 2025 is “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.” The UNPA says the theme is a “rallying cry” for actions such as challenging all forms of violence and exploitation, addressing systemic barriers, dismantling patriarchy, ensuring inclusive access to education and employment, and prioritizing opportunities for women to lead and innovate.

Rorie Katz of the U.N. designed the stamps using illustrations by Barbara Tamilin. They were printed in panes of 10 by Joh. Enschede of the Netherlands by hexachrome. The quantities printed are 9,000 panes of 10 for each of the 73¢, $1.65, 1fr and 2.50fr stamps and 10,000 each for the €0.95 and €1.90 stamps.

Each stamp measures 30 millimeters by 40mm, and each pane of 10 is 170mm by 100mm.

As a part of the March 8 issue, the UNPA offers a souvenir card with one statement by Sima Bahous, executive director of U.N. Women, and one by U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

For ordering information for these new stamps and related products, visit the UNPA website; email unpanyinquiries@un.org; telephone 212-963-7684 or 800-234-8672; or write to UNPA, Box 5900, Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10163-5900.

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