Photo: Women bang pots and pans during a protest at the start of a nationwide feminist strike on International... Read More

* Every year, March 8 is observed as International Women's Day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

* In 1908, around 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter working hours, better pay and the right to vote.

* The first IWD was celebrated in 1911 when over a million people gathered in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland.

* In 1917, a mass agitation "For Bread and Peace" in Russia led to the abdication of Czar Nicholas II and also granted women the right to vote.

* The United Nations adopted the International Women's Day in 1975.

* Every year, an official theme is adopted to celebrate the IWD.

* This year's theme of the International Women's Day is “Balance for Better”, which advocates the need of a gender-balanced society.

* Historically, purple, green and white are colours associated with IWD.

* Purple signifies justice and dignity. Green symbolises hope. White represents purity. (However, white has become obsolete as associating "purity" with women is a controversial concept)

* "Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change," read this year's statement of UN.

