International Women’s Day (IWD), marked each year on March 8, is a global celebration of womanhood. It is also a time to reflect on progress made in advancing women’s rights, to call for further change, and to remember the ordinary women who through their acts of courage and determination have played extraordinary roles in the history of women’s rights and women’s causes.

The idea of an International Women’s Day originated around the turn of the 20^th century, amid rapid world industrialization and economic expansion that led to protests over working conditions. In many countries today, the political and human rights theme remains central to IWD, while in others the day has become mostly an occasion for men and children to express love and appreciation to the women around them—a sort of Mother’s Day and Saint Valentine’s Day rolled into one.⁷

¹Philippians 2:3; Galatians 5:13

²James 1:17

³Revelation 3:20; 1 Corinthians 3:16

⁴2 Corinthians 5:17; 2 Corinthians 4:7

⁵2 Corinthians 12:9–10

⁶Galatians 3:28

⁷Sources:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Women’s_Day;http://www.un.org/ecosocdev/geninfo/women/womday97.htm, accessed August 2008