Countries around the world are celebrating International Women's Day on Sunday, March 8. The day not only celebrates women's accomplishments but also raises awareness of the challenges that still stand in the way.
While the day was not officially recognized by the United Nations until 1977, due to labor movements across North America and Europe, the celebration's history can be traced back to the early 20th century.
Throughout World War I, leaders of the women's movement in Russia celebrated the first International Women's Day on 8 March 1913 to protest the war in peace.
A year later, on that same day, women across Europe held rallies in solidarity. Thousands of women came together for "Bread and Peace" in Petrograd on March 8, 1917. This protest helped spark the Russian Revolution.
After World War II, countries from all continents started to use March 8 as a benchmark for promoting equality for women.
On 8 March 1970, hundreds of women march in downtown Boston for abortion rights and workplace equality.
More than a century later, there are still many activities and marches going on that day to commemorate women's contributions and to take action.
On International Women's Day, Tangcheng Film and Television Base was open for female tourists and attracted about 100,000 people.
This year the United Nations will concentrate on gender equality and human rights for all women and girls. The commemoration theme is "I am Generation Equality: Achieving the Rights of Women."
"2020 is a big year for gender equality," said UN Women executive director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka. "And the rewards of gender equality are not only for women and girls but for those whose lives a fairer society that leaves no one behind can change."
She describes how while there has been an improvement for women that "no country has achieved equality between the sexes."
There are several ways to engage in International Women's Day, from attending a party to contributing to a charity connected with that.
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