On March 8, the world celebrates International Women’s Day. It is a day of recognition for all that women do, how strong they are, and how much their other halves love them. It is a day to praise everything that makes women so wonderful and important, the strength, resilience, kindness and support to those across the world.
© Sputnik / Vladimir Minkevich / Go to the mediabankInternational Women’s Day was created in the early 1900s, it was a day of recognition for those ladies who started to vocally demand their equality with men. In the beginning the day varied, but now it has been set as March 8.
Above: A women's procession on Nevsky Avenue in Petrograd, Russia, on the International Women's Day. A reproduction from Niva Magazine (March, 1917).
Above: A women's procession on Nevsky Avenue in Petrograd, Russia, on the International Women's Day. A reproduction from Niva Magazine (March, 1917).
International Women’s Day was created in the early 1900s, it was a day of recognition for those ladies who started to vocally demand their equality with men. In the beginning the day varied, but now it has been set as March 8.
Above: A women's procession on Nevsky Avenue in Petrograd, Russia, on the International Women's Day. A reproduction from Niva Magazine (March, 1917).
Above: A women's procession on Nevsky Avenue in Petrograd, Russia, on the International Women's Day. A reproduction from Niva Magazine (March, 1917).
© Sputnik / Vladimir Granovskiy / Go to the mediabankOver time, the initial political elements gradually vanished from the holiday and now, International Women’s Day is observed as an occasion to celebrate women and all they do.
Above: Electrovacuum plant workers perform at a concert marking the International Women's Day celebrated March 8.
Above: Electrovacuum plant workers perform at a concert marking the International Women's Day celebrated March 8.
Over time, the initial political elements gradually vanished from the holiday and now, International Women’s Day is observed as an occasion to celebrate women and all they do.
Above: Electrovacuum plant workers perform at a concert marking the International Women's Day celebrated March 8.
Above: Electrovacuum plant workers perform at a concert marking the International Women's Day celebrated March 8.
© REUTERS / Mohammad Ismail However, in some countries, for example Pakistan, the holiday kept its tradition of the struggle for human rights.
Above: Male Afghan women's rights activists pose for media as they wear burqas to show their solidarity to Afghan women ahead of International Women's Day in Kabul March 5, 2015.
Above: Male Afghan women's rights activists pose for media as they wear burqas to show their solidarity to Afghan women ahead of International Women's Day in Kabul March 5, 2015.
However, in some countries, for example Pakistan, the holiday kept its tradition of the struggle for human rights.
Above: Male Afghan women's rights activists pose for media as they wear burqas to show their solidarity to Afghan women ahead of International Women's Day in Kabul March 5, 2015.
Above: Male Afghan women's rights activists pose for media as they wear burqas to show their solidarity to Afghan women ahead of International Women's Day in Kabul March 5, 2015.
© Sputnik / Ramil Sitdikov / Go to the mediabankWomen in Portugal tend to celebrate March 8 at “women-only” parties.
Above: Selling flowers on the eve of March 8 in a shop at Moscow's Riga market.
Above: Selling flowers on the eve of March 8 in a shop at Moscow's Riga market.
Women in Portugal tend to celebrate March 8 at “women-only” parties.
Above: Selling flowers on the eve of March 8 in a shop at Moscow's Riga market.
Above: Selling flowers on the eve of March 8 in a shop at Moscow's Riga market.
© Sputnik / Evgeny Biyatov / Go to the mediabankIn a number of countries, such as China, former Soviet republics, Mongolia, Nepal, and some African states, March 8 is a national holiday.
Above: Young men on the platform of Rizhskaya metro station in Moscow.
Above: Young men on the platform of Rizhskaya metro station in Moscow.
In a number of countries, such as China, former Soviet republics, Mongolia, Nepal, and some African states, March 8 is a national holiday.
Above: Young men on the platform of Rizhskaya metro station in Moscow.
Above: Young men on the platform of Rizhskaya metro station in Moscow.
© AP Photo / Marco UgarteIn Cuba, March 8 is a family holiday when people express love, gratitude, and respect to their mothers and sisters.
Above: A woman arrives in her neon pink high heels at the Monument of the Revolution, a meeting point for the high-heeled dress wearing cyclists commemorating the International Women's Day, in Mexico City, March 7, 2015.
Above: A woman arrives in her neon pink high heels at the Monument of the Revolution, a meeting point for the high-heeled dress wearing cyclists commemorating the International Women's Day, in Mexico City, March 7, 2015.
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© AP Photo / Marco Ugarte
In Cuba, March 8 is a family holiday when people express love, gratitude, and respect to their mothers and sisters.
Above: A woman arrives in her neon pink high heels at the Monument of the Revolution, a meeting point for the high-heeled dress wearing cyclists commemorating the International Women's Day, in Mexico City, March 7, 2015.
Above: A woman arrives in her neon pink high heels at the Monument of the Revolution, a meeting point for the high-heeled dress wearing cyclists commemorating the International Women's Day, in Mexico City, March 7, 2015.
© AFP 2023 / ANDREAS SOLARO Western countries added International Women’s Day to their holiday calendars in 1977 after the UN brought a vote before its members to proclaim March 8 as the UN Day for women’s rights and world peace.
Above: A female member of the Italian Presidential Honor Guard stands at the entrance of the Quirinale Palace, the Italian Presidential palace, decorated with yellow mimosa on the occasion of the International Women's day, on March 8, 2015 in Rome.
Above: A female member of the Italian Presidential Honor Guard stands at the entrance of the Quirinale Palace, the Italian Presidential palace, decorated with yellow mimosa on the occasion of the International Women's day, on March 8, 2015 in Rome.
Western countries added International Women’s Day to their holiday calendars in 1977 after the UN brought a vote before its members to proclaim March 8 as the UN Day for women’s rights and world peace.
Above: A female member of the Italian Presidential Honor Guard stands at the entrance of the Quirinale Palace, the Italian Presidential palace, decorated with yellow mimosa on the occasion of the International Women's day, on March 8, 2015 in Rome.
Above: A female member of the Italian Presidential Honor Guard stands at the entrance of the Quirinale Palace, the Italian Presidential palace, decorated with yellow mimosa on the occasion of the International Women's day, on March 8, 2015 in Rome.
© AFP 2023 / Manjunath KIRAN This year, the UN motto for March 8 is "Empowering Women, Empowering Humanity: Picture it!"
Above: Women warm up their ankles with the help of a fitness expert prior to taking part in India’s first ever "Stilleto Run", organised by women's fashion brand Elle, on International Women’s Day in Bangalore on March 8, 2015.
Above: Women warm up their ankles with the help of a fitness expert prior to taking part in India’s first ever "Stilleto Run", organised by women's fashion brand Elle, on International Women’s Day in Bangalore on March 8, 2015.
This year, the UN motto for March 8 is "Empowering Women, Empowering Humanity: Picture it!"
Above: Women warm up their ankles with the help of a fitness expert prior to taking part in India’s first ever "Stilleto Run", organised by women's fashion brand Elle, on International Women’s Day in Bangalore on March 8, 2015.
Above: Women warm up their ankles with the help of a fitness expert prior to taking part in India’s first ever "Stilleto Run", organised by women's fashion brand Elle, on International Women’s Day in Bangalore on March 8, 2015.
© REUTERS / Sertac Kayar On March 8, men shouldn't just think about gifts and flowers, they should think about the true value all of the women they know bring into their lives by honoring and thanking them.
Above: Turkish Kurdish women play music during an International Women's Day event in Mardin, in the Kurdish dominated southeastern Turkey March 7, 2015.
Above: Turkish Kurdish women play music during an International Women's Day event in Mardin, in the Kurdish dominated southeastern Turkey March 7, 2015.
On March 8, men shouldn't just think about gifts and flowers, they should think about the true value all of the women they know bring into their lives by honoring and thanking them.
Above: Turkish Kurdish women play music during an International Women's Day event in Mardin, in the Kurdish dominated southeastern Turkey March 7, 2015.
Above: Turkish Kurdish women play music during an International Women's Day event in Mardin, in the Kurdish dominated southeastern Turkey March 7, 2015.
© Sputnik / Vitaliy Ankov / Go to the mediabankIn Russia, it is traditional to give flowers and presents to women, old and young. Presents are also given at work from their employers and colleagues, and students bring flowers and presents to their teachers.
Above: A girl smells tulips in a greenhouse on an open day at the Flora Style company.
Above: A girl smells tulips in a greenhouse on an open day at the Flora Style company.
In Russia, it is traditional to give flowers and presents to women, old and young. Presents are also given at work from their employers and colleagues, and students bring flowers and presents to their teachers.
Above: A girl smells tulips in a greenhouse on an open day at the Flora Style company.
Above: A girl smells tulips in a greenhouse on an open day at the Flora Style company.
© AFP 2023 / Manjunath KIRANThe day is but one in a whole year and it is important to take the love, honor, and respect from this day into the rest of the year.
Above: Women hold placards during a silent protest titled "Women in Black for Peace" on the eve of International Women's Day in Bangalore on March 7, 2015.
Above: Women hold placards during a silent protest titled "Women in Black for Peace" on the eve of International Women's Day in Bangalore on March 7, 2015.
The day is but one in a whole year and it is important to take the love, honor, and respect from this day into the rest of the year.
Above: Women hold placards during a silent protest titled "Women in Black for Peace" on the eve of International Women's Day in Bangalore on March 7, 2015.
Above: Women hold placards during a silent protest titled "Women in Black for Peace" on the eve of International Women's Day in Bangalore on March 7, 2015.
© REUTERS / Mariana BazoAbove: An inmate, dressed as an angel, waits for the start of an event ahead of the International Women's Day at Santa Monica female prison in Lima, March 5, 2015.
Above: An inmate, dressed as an angel, waits for the start of an event ahead of the International Women's Day at Santa Monica female prison in Lima, March 5, 2015.
© REUTERS / Mariana BazoAbove: Inmates, with their children, participate in an event ahead of the International Women's Day at Santa Monica female prison in Lima, March 5, 2015.
Above: Inmates, with their children, participate in an event ahead of the International Women's Day at Santa Monica female prison in Lima, March 5, 2015.
© AFP 2023 / DELIL SOULEIMAN Above: Women fighters from the People's Protection Units (YPG) dance during festivities on the eve of International Women's Day in Syria's northeastern city of Qamishli in the Hasakeh province, on the border with Turkey, on March 7, 2015.
Above: Women fighters from the People's Protection Units (YPG) dance during festivities on the eve of International Women's Day in Syria's northeastern city of Qamishli in the Hasakeh province, on the border with Turkey, on March 7, 2015.
© AFP 2023 / ABBAS MOMANIAbove: Palestinian women shout slogans during a rally to mark the International Women's Day and against Israel's controversial separation barrier on March 7, 2015, at the Qalandia checkpoint, between the cities of Jerusalem and Ramallah.
Above: Palestinian women shout slogans during a rally to mark the International Women's Day and against Israel's controversial separation barrier on March 7, 2015, at the Qalandia checkpoint, between the cities of Jerusalem and Ramallah.
© REUTERS / Mohammed SalemAbove: A Palestinian policewoman loyal to Hamas inspects a jewellery store in Gaza City March 5, 2015.
Above: A Palestinian policewoman loyal to Hamas inspects a jewellery store in Gaza City March 5, 2015.
© AP Photo / Luis HidalgoAbove: A hooded protester takes part in a march ahead of International Women's Day in Santiago, Chile, Friday March 6, 2015.
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© AP Photo / Luis Hidalgo
Above: A hooded protester takes part in a march ahead of International Women's Day in Santiago, Chile, Friday March 6, 2015.
© AP Photo / Vadim GhirdaAbove: Donbas women pose with the flag of the Donetsk People's Republic during a beauty contest involving women from the main battalions in Donetsk, Ukraine, March 7, 2015.
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© AP Photo / Vadim Ghirda
Above: Donbas women pose with the flag of the Donetsk People's Republic during a beauty contest involving women from the main battalions in Donetsk, Ukraine, March 7, 2015.