In recent years, I have had the opportunity to write publicly about International Women's Day. This year is no exception, and I will not miss the chance to highlight the importance of marking this day, which is, first and foremost, a day to remember and celebrate the fight for freedom and equality. Women remain underrepresented in public life, politics, corporate leadership, and science—in short, in positions of power. Despite being more qualified—women currently account for 58% of university graduates in Portugal—they earn approximately 15% less than men for equal work and qualifications, meaning they effectively work two months 'for free' compared to their male counterparts. This is compounded by the invisible, unpaid, and exhausting burden of caregiving and domestic work. Domestic violence remains the most reported crime in Portugal, and femicide rates stay high. While progress has been made since the mid-20th century, we are now seeing a regression. Ideologies promoting the Nazi-era 'three Ks'—kinder, küche, kirche (children, kitchen, church)—are gaining ground, pushing for a return to traditional, submissive roles. This paternalistic misogyny, amplified by social media influencers, attacks independent women while disguising subjugation as protection. As Simone de Beauvoir said: 'Let nothing define us, let nothing subject us. May freedom be our own substance, since to live is to be free.'