This week people around the world will celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women on International Women's Day.
Celebrated every year on March 8, the day is dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of women's equality and fundraising for women-centric charities.
The event was officially recognized by the United Nations in 1975 and has since been celebrated in more than 80 countries around the world.
Here's everything you need to know about the international holiday.
How did International Women's Day start?
International Women's Day (IWD) has its origins in America. In 1908, 15,000 women marched in New York City demanding shorter working hours, better wages and voting rights.
Inspired by the demonstrations, the Socialist Party of America declared the first National Women's Day, which was celebrated in America on February 28.
Later in 1910, a woman named Clara Zetkin, a member of the Social Democratic Party in Germany, coined the idea of International Women's Day.
Zetkin proposed that every country should have the same day to celebrate women and give them the opportunity to press for change.
Zetkin's suggestion received unanimous approval from 17 countries including Denmark, Austria, Germany and Switzerland and the US.
The following year, in 1911, more than a million women participated in IWD rallies for women's rights on 19 March.
As more countries joined the celebration, a global date of March 8 was agreed upon by 1914, which has remained the same ever since.
IWD was officially recognized by the United Nations in 1975.
What is this year's theme?
The International Women's Day website has announced that this year's theme is #BreakTheBias.
The organization is calling on people to "imagine a same-gender world", free from prejudice, stereotypes and discrimination against women.
The theme of the United Nations is "Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow". It is focusing on advancing gender equality in the context of the global climate crisis.
"Examining the opportunities, as well as barriers, for women and girls to have a voice and be equal players in decision-making related to climate change and sustainability are essential to sustainable development and greater gender equality," the United Nations said. ,
"Today without gender equality, a sustainable future and an equal future are beyond our reach."
Is there a color theme?
Purple, green and white are the colors of the IWD.
“Purple is a symbol of justice and dignity. Green is a symbol of hope. White represents purity, albeit a controversial concept," the International Women's Day website reads.
The colors originated from the Women's Social and Political Union in the UK in 1908.
How can you participate?
In line with their #BreakTheBias theme, the organizers of IWD are asking people to pose with their arms outstretched as a symbol of their commitment to shunning prejudice, shunning stereotypes and rejecting discrimination and inequality.
The public is being encouraged to photograph themselves in the pose and submit photographs to the official website. If you'd like to participate,
Separately, the United Nations is hosting a virtual event that will explore how women around the world are responding to the climate crisis.
Speakers at the event include primatologist Jane Goodall DBE, climate justice activist Maria Reyes and environmentalist Katherine Wilkinson.
In London, IWD will gather to raise awareness of gender pay inequality.
Under the UK Equal Pay Act, women are prohibited from being paid less than men for equal work. However, the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show that the pay gap between men and women persists, with men earning 7.9 percent more than women in 2021.
On Tuesday, IWD will stage "a public act of resistance" outside some of London's biggest businesses. The meeting place for those who wish to attend is the Duke of Bedford Memorial, Russell Square from 8am