At the merest mention of Belarus most of you would perplexedly think of a former Soviet republic cowering under the shadow of dour council flats and slate grey-skies. But hear this: International Women’s Day is an official holiday, and gender equality is taken seriously; it’s not just a glib shibboleth. In Minsk, the capital, thousands took part in a ‘beauty run’ in fabulous costumes—a gesture of confident womanhood.
Participants gather for a rally to mark International Women's Day in Madrid, Spain. Thousands of women are marching in Madrid and other Spanish cities as part of International Women's Day.
Women on wheelchairs shout slogans against Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro, to mark International Women's Day in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Women work on painting the names of more than 3000 victims of femicide on Mexico City's main plaza, The Zocalo, on International Women's Day. Protests against gender violence in Mexico have intensified in recent years amid an increase in killings of women and girls.
A protester dances during a march on International Women's Day in Madrid, Spain. Thousands of women are marching in Madrid and other Spanish cities as part of International Women's Day.
Pakistani activists take part in an International Women's Day rally in Peshawar, Pakistan. Pakistanis held rallies across the country. Officially recognized by the United Nations in 1977, it is celebrated around the world on March 8.
Participants celebrate after the women's 'Beauty Run' in Minsk, Belarus. Five thousands participants took part in the event in connection with International Women's Day, which is an official holiday in Belarus.
Femen activists hold placards and raise their fist during a protest as part of the celebration of the International Women's Day, in Paris.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeks blessings from Karthyayini Amma, who received the 'Nari Shakti Puraskar, during an interaction in New Delhi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with the Nari Shakti Puraskar winners during an interaction in New Delhi.
Women police officials take part in Women Safety March arranged by Maharashtra Government and Mumbai Police on the occasion of International Women's Day, in Mumbai.
Women walk from the National Congress to Plaza de Mayo each one carrying a flower and a sign with names of women killed in 2020, during the International Women's Day in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Bollywood actor Vidyut Jammwal during a women's bike rally on International Women's Day in Thane.
Trinamool Mohila Congress members participate in party's Mohila Congress rally to mark International Women's Day and protest against NRC and CAA, in Kolkata.
Kaushiki Chakroborty receives 'Nari Shakti Puraskar 2019' on International Women's Day from President Ram Nath Kovind as First Lady Savita Kovind and Union Minister Smriti Irani look on, at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Center in New Delhi. Chakroborty is an Indian classical vocalist and one of the exponents of Khyals and Thumris.
Arifa Jan receives 'Nari Shakti Puraskar 2019' on International Women's Day from President Ram Nath Kovind as First Lady Savita Kovind, Union Ministers Smriti Irani and Nirmala Sitharaman look on, at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Center in New Delhi. Hailing from Kashmir, Jan has taken the task to revive the once famed handicraft Numdha, the traditional embroidered rug.
Chami Murmu receives 'Nari Shakti Puraskar 2019' on International Women's Day from President Ram Nath Kovind as Union Minister Smriti Irani looks on, at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Center in New Delhi. Murmu, a resident of Bhursa village in Jharkhand is known as the 'Lady Tarzan' of Jharkhand for her determination to protect the forests, local wildlife and improve the livelihood of locals.
Mountaineers Tashi Malik and Nungshi Malik receive 'Nari Shakti Puraskar 2019' on International Women's Day from President Ram Nath Kovind as Union Minister Smriti Irani looks on, at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Center in New Delhi. The Malik sisters became the first twin sister to conquer Mount Everest in 2013 and are holders of 6 Guinness World Record.
Indian Air Force (IAF) women fighter pilots Avani Chaturvedi, Bhawanna Kanth and Mohana Singh receive 'Nari Shakti Puraskar 2019' on International Women's Day from President Ram Nath Kovind as Union Minister Smriti Irani looks on, at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Center in New Delhi. The trio are the first women fighter pilots of Indian Air Force.
Members of a civil society take part in a pro-women demonstration ahead of Women's Day in Peshawar, Pakistan. Pakistani women plan to hold rallies across the country to celebrate International Women's Day to bring attention to their efforts to seek better jobs, protections in the work place and end domestic violence.
A women with a message on her back that reads in Spanish: "This is my territory" takes part in a protest march marking International Women's Day, in Lima, Peru.
Leaders of various women's groups raise their fists as they march near the Malacanang presidential palace to mark International Women's Day in Manila, Philippines.
A young girl holds a rose during an event marking the International Women's Day in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Civil society activists gathered the less fortunate to mark International Women's Day in Kabul, Afghanistan. Afghan civil society activists gathered beggars from the streets of Kabul, to mark International Women's Day in Kabul.
A women train driver speaks on a radio telephone, as a special train comprising of female only staff leaves for Gajraula from Moradabad. International Women's Day is celebrated on March 8 every year.
A caricature of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is set on fire as women's groups hold a rally near the Malacanang presidential palace to mark International Women's Day in Manila, Philippines.
Women carry potable water in plastic containers on the outskirts of Jammu. International Women's Day is celebrated on March 8 every year.
A woman laborer carries soil to plant trees on a street on the eve of International Women's Day in Hyderabad.
Young women with their faces painted pose for photographs on the eve of International Women’s Day in Jabalpur.
A sand sculpture created by sand artist Manas Sahoo on the eve of International Women's Day in Puri.
Chilean singer Mon Laferte performs during a concert by female artists on the eve of International Women's Day, in the Zocalo in Mexico City.
Women chant as part of a "human chain" of around 200 women calling for an end to gender violence, on the eve of International Women's Day in front of the Hemiciclo de Juarez in central Mexico City. Protests against gender violence in Mexico have intensified in recent years amid an increase in killings of women and girls, and women are expected to express their outrage in a march in Mexico City on Sunday.
Women march with a giant Peruvian national flag in a protest march to mark the upcoming International Women's Day, in Lima, Peru. March 8th has been sponsored by the United Nations since 1975 as International Women's Day, celebrating women's achievements and aiming to further their rights. Marches and protests are held across the globe with calls for a more gender-balanced world to mark the day.
Women police constables participate in zumba dance and run ahead of International Women's Day at Charminar in Hyderabad
Women fire-fighters douse a blaze during a fire drill demonstration, part of International Women's Day celebration, at International Airport in Bengaluru.
Women fire-fighters pose for a group photograph during a fire drill demonstration, part of International Women's Day celebration, at International Airport in Bengaluru.
To mark International Women's Day, Turkish female gendarmerie officers pose for pictures with the flowers they received after they rappelled off Istanbul's "July 15th Martyrs' Bridge", formerly known as Bosporus Bridge spanning the Bosporus Strait, in Istanbul.
A woman wipes away tears as she stands with others listening to Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, who has declared himself interim president, during a rally to commemorate International Women's Day in Caracas, Venezuela.
Women hold hands as they walk with Spanish slogans printed on their backs, reading, from left, "My body, my rules," and "We are going to tear down [the patriarchy]" during a protest march on International Women's Day in Mexico City.
Women perform against an anti-abortion law during a march marking International Women's Day in Santiago, Chile. The day has been sponsored by the United Nations since 1975 as millions of women around the world are demanding equality amid a persistent salary gap, violence and widespread inequality.
A family wear stickers that read in Portuguese "Free Lula" and "Marielle" in reference to jailed former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and slain councilwoman Marielle Franco, during a march marking International Women's Day in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
A transsexual participates in a march to commemorate International Women's Day in Asuncion, Paraguay. Thousands of people marched in Asuncion's downtown to demand women's rights.
Activists perform during a rally to mark International Women's Day in Guatemala City. During the march people remembered 41 girls that died in a fire two years ago at the state-run Virgen de la Asuncion youth shelter.
Women participate in a Women's Day rally in Quito, Ecuador. The march was concentrated in front of the Labor Ministry, to demand labor improvements and more employment for women.
A woman plays a snare drum in a demonstration commemorating International Women's Day, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
A protestor displays slogans printed on her body reading in Spanish "Freedom for all women, feminism, anti-speciesism," during a march to mark International Women's Day in Mexico City. Women's Day marches are being held across Mexico to protest the dangers women face in a country where two thirds of women have been victims of some type of violence and more than 3500 women and girls were murdered in 2018.
Winners of 'Nari Shakti Puraskar 2018' during a felicitation ceremony on the occasion of International Women's Day, at Rastrapati Bhawan in New Delhi.
President Ram Nath Kovind presents an award to Seema Rao, the only woman commando trainer in India, during 'Nari Shakti Puraskar 2018' to mark International Women's Day, at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi.
President Ram Nath Kovind presents an award to Reshma Nilofer Naha, the first marine woman pilot in India, during 'Nari Shakti Puraskar 2018' to mark International Women's Day, at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi.
Indian Coast Guard Deputy Commandants Anuradha Shukla and Shirin Chandran inside the hovercraft, in which they set on a 500-km surveillance mission from Rameswaram.
College students pose for photos after getting their faces painted to mark International Women’s Day, in Chennai.
Women dressed in traditional dress participate in a bike rally to mark International Women's Day, in Nagpur.
A man looks at women protesting against the judicial system for sentencing sexual offenders to small or suspended sentences in Bucharest, Romania.
A dog licks his owner during a rally in commemoration of International Women's Day, IWD, in Caracas, Venezuela. Marches and protests are held across the globe to mark IWD under the slogan #BalanceforBetter, with calls for a more gender-balanced world.
An Iraqi woman works in a farm, as the world celebrates International Women's, on the outskirts of Baghdad, Iraq.
Pro-choice activists dressed as characters from the novel-turned-TV series “The Handmaid’s Tale,” hold placards with a message that reads in Spanish: "Legalize abortion now," marking International Women's Day in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Turkish police block protesters wanting to hold a march for the International Women's Day, at Istiklal street, the main shopping street in Istanbul.
A woman holds a scarf reading in Italian " Not one less ", as she takes part in a demonstration to mark the International Women's Day, in Rome. The day, sponsored by the United Nations since 1975, celebrates women's achievements and aims to further their rights.
Pakistani policewomen rally on the International Women's Day in Lahore Pakistan. Pakistani women mark the International Women's Day across the country against wage gap and gender violence.
Women hold flares during a march for International Women's Day in Madrid, Spain. Thousands of women walked off the job in Spain, joining millions more around the world demanding equality amid a persistent salary gap, violence and widespread inequality.
DPCC President Sheila Dikshit being honoured at a programme organised on International Women's Day in New Delhi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with the members of Self Help Groups at tthe National Women Livelihood Meet 2019, a programme organised on the occasion of International Women's Day, at Deendayal Hastkala Sankul in Varanasi.
Tribal women in their traditional attire participate in a rally to mark International Women's Day in Kolkata.
A Railway Protection Force woman personnel offers a rose to a woman commuter on the occasion of International Women's Day, in Mumbai.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee leads a 'walk', organised to mark International Women's Day in Kolkata.
Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) Rajiv Mehrishi during an event on International Women's Day, in New Delhi.
Women activists march as they mark International Women's Day during a rally near Merdeka palace in Jakarta, Indonesia. Hundreds of women activist called for equal rights and stop the violence.
Members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions attend during a rally to mark the International Women's Day in downtown Seoul, South Korea. More than a thousand people attended at a rally demanding better working condition for women workers and gender equality. The banners read "Gender equality."
A ragpicker woman walks with recyclable material from a dump yard on International Women's Day in Hyderabad.
In this undated photo provided by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service, soldiers and ballerinas pose for pictures during a photoshoot in Yekaterinburg, Russia, to mark International Women's Day. When a Russian army recruitment office ordered a photoshoot to celebrate International Women's Day, it didn't feature any of the 45,000 women currently serving in the country's armed forces.
Women activists shout slogans as they mark International Women's Day during a rally near the Malacanang presidential palace in Manila, Philippines.
Women activists topple an effigy of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte as they mark International Women's Day during a rally near the Malacanang presidential palace in Manila, Philippines. The group criticized Duterte, opposed martial law in Mindanao and called for equal rights.
Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar poses with women bike riders during an event to mark International Women’s Day, in Lucknow.
Women, on wheelchairs, from showcase their talent and abilities during an event organised to celebrate International Women's Day, in Thane.
A woman carries her child on her back as she joins with others in a march to celebrate International Women's Day in New Delhi.
Women sing and dance during a march to celebrate International Women's Day in New Delhi. The banners in the background read "Save the Constitution Save the country", "Minimum wage should be enforced" "Make violence free country don't advocate war" and You promise us house and then evict us."
A woman poses for photographs through a window cutout in a banner put up by the Tibetan Women's Association, to mark the International Women's Day in Dharmsala.
Women shout slogans during a march to celebrate International Women's Day in New Delhi. Hundreds of women held street plays and march in the Indian capital highlighting domestic violence, sexual attacks and discrimination in jobs and wages against them. Violent crime against women has been on the rise in India despite tough laws enacted by the government.
Indian and foreign women take part in a torch rally to aware people on saving girl child, on the eve of International Women's Day, in Jodhpur.
Sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik creates a sand sculpture on the eve of International Women's Day 2019, at Puri beach in Odisha.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and first lady Melania Trump pose with the 2019 International Women of Courage Awardees at the Department of State in Washington. From left, Sister Orla Treacy of Ireland, Razia Sultana of Bangladesh, Naw K'nyaw Paw of Burma, Khalida Khalaf Hanna al-Twal of Jordan, Olivera Lakic of Montenegro, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, first lady Melania Trump, Flor de Maria Vega Zapata of Peru, Magda Gobran Gorgy of Egypt, Moumina Houssein Darar of Djibouti, Marine de Livera of Sri Lanka, and Anna Helga of Tanzania.
Participants from different countries take part in an event on the eve of International Woman’s Day, during the International Public Health Management Development Program organized by PGIMER Chandigarh, at Ridge in Shimla.
Delhi Commission for Women chairperson Swati Maliwal arrives at Press Club to address a press conference during 'Mahila Suraksha Padyatra' (women safety march), in New Delhi.
Delhi Commission for Women chairperson Swati Maliwal addresses a press conference on the eve of International Women's Day, in New Delhi.
Members of Indian Navy's all-women crew, who circumnavigated the globe onboard INS Tarini, during International Women's Day celebrations at a college, in New Delhi.
