A photo essay of a meeting on Women's Day in New York of the Role of Women in Social Transformation sponsored by the Permanent Missions of Nigeria and Iraq to the United Nations and organized by the Universal Peace Federation. Also, photos from events in Argentina, Canada, India, Israel, Netherlands, and Russia.

1. he Role of Women in Social Transformation
A Parallel Event of the 54th Commission
on the Status of Women, Beijing + 15
Sponsored by the Permanent Missions of Nigeria and Iraq to
the United Nations, March 9, 2010

2. International Women’s Day, 2010
Rev. Tzu-Wei Zoe Chang, president of the UN Women’s Guild,
chaired the event.

3. International Women’s Day, 2010
Event hostess Amb. Joy Ogwu, Permanent Representative of
Nigeria, described the family as the fulcrum of society.

4. International Women’s Day, 2010
Permanent Representative of Iraq, Amb. Dr. Hamid Al Bayati,
described advances in official opportunities for Iraqi women.

5. International Women’s Day, 2010
Amb. Dr. Palitha T.B. Kohona, permanent representative of Sri
Lanka, said his was the first country to elect a woman
president.

6. International Women’s Day, 2010
Mrs. Lynn Walsh, head of UPF’s Women for Peace, urged
women and men to work together in complementary ways.

7. International Women’s Day, 2010
Genie Kagawa of the UPF encouraged women to work together
for real change based on spiritual and moral values.

8. International Women’s Day, 2010
In small groups, people talked about ways to promote
opportunities for women, mutual understanding, and respect.

9. International Women’s Day
March 11, 2010, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Insights about notable women
music, poetry, and refreshments

10. International Women’s Day- Argentina, 2010
Talented musicians performed.

11. International Women’s Day-Argentina, 2010
Women were honored for outstanding contributions to society.

12. International Women’s Day
March 7, 2010, Toronto, Canada
“Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities:
Progress for All”

13. International Women’s Day-Canada, 2010
A resolve to promote dignity and respect for women and girls,
bringing strength and stability to our families and society.

14. International Women’s Day
March 8, 2010, Gangtok, Sikkim, India
In India, most of the "empowered" women have been from
leading families and had the advantages of financial
resources. The challenge is to extend those opportunities
and rights to a broader range of women.
- Mrs. Kalawati Subba, Former Minister of Sikkim,
Member of State Planning Commission

15. International Women’s Day-India, 2010
Mrs. Subba said this was the first time someone had
organized such an event for the women of Sikkim.

16. International Women’s Day-India, 2010
Mrs. Bharai Sharma, Chair of the OBC Council, expressed her
commitment to develop the Women for Peace Initiative in Sikkim.

17. International Women’s Day
March 8, 2010, Jerusalem, Israel
A new Holistic and Healing Center opened to serve
local women.

18. International Women’s Day
March 6, 2010, The Hague, Netherlands
“Toward a World of Peace and Spirituality”

19. International Women’s Day-Netherlands, 2010
Participants focused on the theme "Equal Rights, Equal
Opportunities; Progress for All.”

20. International Women’s Day
March 8, 2010, Moscow, Russia
A celebration at the UN Information Centre

21. International Women’s Day-Russia, 2010
Greeting women at the Central Market in
Novosibirsk with best wishes for the day.