In pictures: International Women's Day 2013

Various events over the last year have shown beyond doubt that there are gender inequality issues the world over that desperately need to be dealt with. Be it Pussy Riot’s various trials and tribulations in Russia, the brutal gang rape of a 23 year-old student on a bus in New Delhi, or the spectacular polemic launched by Australian Prime Minister, Julian Gillard, against Tony Abbott MP for apparent sexism, it’s clear that gender discrimination issues are pervasive in the current world society.

International Women’s Day 2013 has given people the chance to speak out against these issues, and to have their voices heard on a global scale. Questions this year have been raised about how single women are treated in the UK and India, what the biggest issues facing women today are, and how women are treated in our national press. The day has also given people the opportunity to share where progress is being made, as in the case of women in the Arab World’s changing ability to speak out about their problems.

Given that this day is, by name, international, the above pictures are provided to give an insight into how people across the world are choosing to champion the cause of women’s rights today.