Back in 1911 International Women’s Day was celebrated for the first time with one million men and women attending rallies campaigning for women’s rights to work, vote, be trained, to hold public office and to end the general discrimination levelled at the female of the species. 100 years on the battle for equality continues but the day has become a global event celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. In certain places such as China, Russia, Vietnam and Bulgaria, International Women’s Day is even a national holiday – and without a royal wedding in sight!

International Woman’s Day takes place on Tuesday 8 March and the UK is leading the celebrations with nearly 400 events taking place with businesses, celebrities and women from all walks of life getting involved to show their support. If you think the war on equality has been won you’d be wrong but we have most certainly come a long way from the days of the suffragettes who fought for our right to vote, however according to Unicef, “Women perform 66% of the world’s work, produce 50% of the food, but earn 10% of the income and own 1% of the property.” Sound equal to you? Nor us, which is why handbag.com has got together with the organisers of International Women’s Day to celebrate your success and to help fill the gaps when you’re confidence dips and your self-esteem falters. So make sure you check out all our great content aimed at empowering women including an interview with shadow home secretary and minister for women and equalities, Yvette Cooper and our brand new monthly column by lifestyle guru and founder of the female business model SEED, Lynne Franks.

Also, to ensure the centenary is significantly celebrated Oxfam’s Global Ambassador Annie Lennox OBE has created a coalition of leading charities to create EQUALS, a campaign to demand a more equal world. The coalition is evolving and currently includes ActionAid, Amnesty International, Oxfam, Save the Children and The White Ribbon Alliance among many others all looking to renew the call for an equal world. Gender equality isn’t yet a reality in any country, the EQUALS coalition believe that the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day is the perfect time to fire up the debate over what an equal world would look like and it’s time for all of us to step up, speak out and join in to make in equal world a reality rather than a dream.