Global: Why International Women's Day is Important, by Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon (United Nations)

This day is an opportunity for all of us — women and men — to unite in a cause that embraces all humankind. Empowering women is not only a goal in itself. It is a condition for building better lives for everyone on the planet.

India: Four Stamps, a Song and a Flag in Celebration of Women's Day (RxPG)

For the first time a combined effort has been made for woman empowerment all across the country...We salute women and are trying our best to do everything that we can for their upliftment. — Renuka Chowdhury, women and child development minister

Global: International Women's Day: Concern About Increasing Violence Against Women Journalists (Reporters Without Borders)

As the world prepares to celebrate International Women's Day for the 30th time on March 8... we pay tribute to Anna Politkovskaya and all the other women who go beyond the call of their journalistic duties to defend their right and the right of their fellow citizens to free expression."

Photo: Terry J. Allan

Iraq: IWD Message from Iraq, by Yanar Mohammed (IWFI)

We are preparing for a symbolic IWD event in our Baghdad headquarters. We are not sure how many of us can make it and arrive to our OWFI facility on that day. Nevertheless, our activists are determined to celebrate.

USA: We Stand with the Women of the World, by Lucinda Marshall (FPN)

International Women's Day...is a time not only to celebrate women's lives and achievements, but also a chance to join hands in solidarity with women around the globe and to focus much needed attention on the many problems women face today.