LONDON, March 2 (Reuters) - Wednesday March 8 marks International Women's Day, with festivals, concerts and exhibitions among the numerous events planned around the world to celebrate the achievements of women in society.
The annual event has been held since the early 1900s and traditionally promotes a different theme each year, with this year's edition calling on people to #BeBoldForChange and push for a more gender-inclusive working world.
Reuters photographers have been speaking with women in a range of professions around the world about their experiences of gender inequality.
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Merylee, 26, a soldier, poses for a photograph in Nice, France, February 23, 2017. "The parity in the army already exists, it is the uniform that takes precedence over gender," Merylee said. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard[/caption]
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Dr Catherine Reynolds, 37, a scientific researcher at Imperial College, poses for a picture at her laboratory in London, Britain February 22, 2017. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez[/caption]
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Lejla Selimovic, 34, a furniture restorer, poses for a photograph at her workshop Wood Surgery in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, February 24, 2017. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic[/caption]
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Lina Maria da Silva, 62, a babysitter, poses for a photograph with the children she takes care of at her home in the Cantagalo slum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, February 24, 2017. REUTERS/Pilar Olivares[/caption]
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Sarah Hunter, 31, England women's rugby captain and RFU University Rugby Development Officer for the South West, poses for a photograph at The Stoop rugby ground in West London, Britain, 25 February, 2017. REUTERS/Henry Browne[/caption]
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Ivana, 32, a community manager, smiles in her home where she works in Belgrade, Serbia, February 21, 2017. REUTERS/Marko Djurica[/caption]
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Laila Sterk, 22, a Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) female fighter, poses for a photograph in the northeastern Syrian city of Hasaka, Syria, February 26, 2017. REUTERS/Rodi Said[/caption]
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Aimee Pompa Bolivar, 43, a librarian, poses for a photograph at the Municipal Library Enrique Jose Varona in Havana, Cuba, February 25, 2017. REUTERS/Alexandre Meneghini[/caption]
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Luisana Quero Duran, 32, a veterinarian, poses for a photograph with Nacho, a Schnauzer, at a clinic in Caracas, Venezuela, February 24, 2017. REUTERS/Marco Bello[/caption]
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Mado, 34, a Brazilian artist, poses for a photograph in front of her artwork at Vila Madalena neighbourhood in Sao Paulo, Brazil, February 23, 2017. REUTERS/Nacho Doce[/caption]
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Serpil Cigdem, 44, an engine driver, poses for a photograph at Yenikapi station in Istanbul, Turkey, February 24, 2017. REUTERS/Osman Orsal[/caption]
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Samah Abdelaty, 38, a writer and chief of the investigations department at Al Watan Newspaper, poses for a photograph at the headquarters of the newspaper in Cairo, Egypt, February 26, 2017. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh[/caption]
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Rocio Larranaga, 53, a surfer and surf instructor, poses for a photograph at Redondo beach in Lima, Peru, February 23, 2017. REUTERS/Guadalupe Pardo[/caption]
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Ana Maria del Verdun Suarez, 27, a police officer, poses for a photograph in the outskirts of Montevideo City, Uruguay, February 23, 2017. REUTERS/Andres Stapff[/caption]
