The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD) – which is observed worldwide on 8 March – is "Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities: Progress for All".

Read statements marking the International Women’s Day:

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

Fifteen years ago at the Fourth World Conference on Women, Governments adopted the landmark Beijing Declaration. It sent a clear message to women and girls around the world that equality and opportunity are inalienable rights. Women's empowerment is also an economic and social imperative. Until women and girls are liberated from poverty and injustice, all our goals -- peace, security, sustainable development -- stand in jeopardy.
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UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé

I pay tribute to women all over the world who have tirelessly supported the AIDS response—grandmothers, mothers, wives, sisters and daughters. The impact of AIDS would have been even more severe without their resilience, contributions and sacrifices.
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UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman

Last week in Guatemala I visited a UNICEF centre that houses girls as young as thirteen who have been rescued from brothels. The stories of suffering are simply unimaginable -- horrific situations of rape, prostitution, torture and lost innocence.
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Director-General of UNESCO Irina Bokova

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing, a landmark event that produced the most progressive and comprehensive policy statement to date on gender equality.
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UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Obaid

On International Women's Day, let us pay tribute to all women worldwide who contribute so much to the well-being of their families, communities and nations.
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