Since 1975, International Women's Year, March 8 has been celebrated as International Women's Day, “to commemorate the historic struggle to improve women's lives". It is celebrated around the world at the local and national levels.

The theme of International Women's Day for 2005 is "Gender equality beyond 2005 : building a more secure future".

Here you can read the Message by the Secretary-General Kofi Annan for International Women’s Day.