International Women's Day 2017

Brazilian president under fire over praise of women's supermarket skills

Wednesday's speech began cordially enough, with compliments to female representatives of the Senate and Lower House, who were present at the event at the Planato presidential palace.

He highlighted the importance of women's struggles in Brazil, from gaining equal voting rights to fighting femicide.

He compared the country's successes to others who still treat women as "second class citizens," and praised his wife Marcela and other women in his life for everything they do "in the house, in the home and for their children."

International Women's Day: Strikes and protests around the world

The move by House Democrats is part of a "Day Without a Woman" strike, designed to highlight how crucial women are to the US national workforce.

"I think it's important women in Congress show our solidarity," said Congresswoman Lois Frankel.

Schools in some districts were forced to close after staff walked out.

International Women's Day has grown from a labour movement with its roots in a 1908 protest to a UN-recognised annual event.

 

More stories for International Women's Day

Air India's all-female crew makes history

"Air India scripted history by flying an all-women crew flight around the world," the airline said in a statement on Facebook, after Flight AI 174 touched back down in New Delhi on Friday.

The Boeing 777 flew from New Delhi to San Francisco last Monday, traveling over the Pacific Ocean. The crew completed a mandatory rest period before flying over the Atlantic back to New Delhi, completing the round-the-world trip.

Tackling Sexism this International Women's Day

Corporations that have more women in senior leadership roles produce better bottom line results.

The Surprising History of International Women’s Day

This might soon change, if grassroots organizers (including the group behind this January’s Women’s March on Washington) succeed in their efforts to convince women around the world to join in a “day of action,” including a labor strike, this March 8. As International Women’s Day approaches, take a look back at its origins in the United States more than a century ago, and how far it has come since then.