IWD 2012: Photos of women around the world
Animal rights activists of the AnimaNaturalis international organization stage a naked protest in the middle of the Plaza de Espana square in the centre of Madrid on Dec. 4, 2011, to denounce the slaying of animals to make fur coats.
Today marks International Women's Day (IWD), which was first celebrated in 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. The occasion was mainly recognized only in Europe until 1975, which became designated as "International Women's Year" by the United Nations. After that, International Women's Day gained more significance globally, and the UN declared March 8 the official date to recognize and celebrate women achievements all across the world.
Check out these powerful images of women today.
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