Int'l Women's Day awaited with great anticipation

It is also one of the major dates in the UN calendar.

Whilst in some parts of the world the celebration of March 8 symbolizes the growing empowerment and influence of women in the political, social and economical life, across the post-Soviet regions this day is also a celebration of femininity and a tribute to women, the Kazakh MFA's press service reports.

In one of his latest speeches, President Nursultan Nazarbayev said there are three "main" women in a man's life to love and to respect: mother, who gives life, the beloved woman and the Motherland.

The 8th of March is a beautiful holiday," he said in response to a question asked during his lecture at the Nazarbayev University on March 1. "In Kazakhstan, today our aim is to involve women in politics and social activities. In my experience, women on top positions are always more responsible and honest that men of the same level," he opined.

Around the globe thousands of events occur on this day to mark women's achievements. The Astana Calling asked both men and women who live in Kazakhstan's two major cities, Astana and Almaty, what the day means to them.

"International Women's Day, for me, is all about raising awareness about women's issues," Petra Macleod, an English teacher, said.  "Every year it comes around we start reflecting anew about the state of the world today: is it as equal as we'd like it to be?" Macleod said, noting that in the U.K. where she was from "we remember women's suffrage on this particular day - what women had to go through in order to get the vote". "But, in other countries it is not a political thing - it is more personal, a day for celebrating and appreciating women, rather like Valentine's Day when we get flowers and chocolates, or Mother's Day," she added.

"The 8th of March has been dedicated to the women of the entire world," Deepa Sharma, an artist from India who teaches arts at a school in Astana said. "It is the day when every woman should reflect on her own achievements and congratulate herself for those," she stated. "In the modern time women are architects of society. Their contribution is very big in every field. So women's day brings us an opportunity to honour and appreciate the women at our home and workplace. Not only men but women should also thank their mothers, friends and colleagues telling them how important role they play in their life", she added.

"It is a good thing to have a day when society foregrounds women. It should be a celebration of achievement of what women have done in the past year, notable achievers in different aspects of academia, society etc.," Peter Ostle, a history teacher, asserted. "It must also take not only international women, but national achievers too, thus placing the achievements of a nation into the context of what is happening beyond it's own borders. Those achievements will also be placed in line with others in preceding years, so showing the progress of women, and society, from oppression and silence to equality and freedom of opportunity and choice."

"We must also acknowledge that this does not mean that women and society are free of all considerations and mores, just that they will be able to choose, yet have the education and freedom to make more, and better, informed choices," Ostle continued.

"Once the day is over, then it is not an occasion to rest and wait another year, minus a day, but to reset the aims and thus ensure that 2013 will have achievements to celebrate, chains that have been broken, attitudes that have been changed, and a better society and world for all, regardless of gender," Ostle said.

"I find it quite refreshing that a country fairly new in its evolution from under the umbrella of another country, has the foresight to celebrate all Women in the community," Lysbeth Curtis, an early childhood educator, said.

"We all understand the importance of mothers in the world, but many, through choice or otherwise, are not mothers; and what is more, will never be. So as one of those Women in this world, thank you to Kazakhstan for the chance to receive recognition for being who I am," Curtis said. "Another important point to International Women's Day is that it is for every Woman, whether she be rich or poor; important to many or only one; valued in her job or unemployed; whether she has a family or not; what is being celebrated is the fact that she could be anyone."

"I think that International Women's Day is a great idea," Christopher Tamplin, a primary school principal, said. "Everyone has a chance to stop from their busy schedules and think about the role women play in not only our families but in our workplaces, our communities and our countries. I would like to see our International Women's Day celebrations extended to officially recognise women whose contribution or work maybe helping their community or their excellent contribution to a particular field of study. I am sure there are many women who can be recognised. But of course I hope everyone had some time to recognise the women close to them, their mothers, sisters and daughters. Can we really imagine a life without them?!" he added.

"March is a special month for me," Rishad Khamitov from Astana said. "Firstly, because our family celebrates the birthday of my mother in March and, secondly, because it symbolises the end of winter and a beginning of something new," he said. "For me, the 8^th of March is strongly associated with spring, the sun, the feeling of happiness and joy," Khamitov said. 

"The 8^th of March is a day when you really feel the arrival of spring and find yourself in an atmosphere of endless attention and admiration, plunge into the sea of flowers and congratulations," Tatyana Bychkova, CEO of a realty firm from Almaty, said.

According to Andrea Bressanini, a graphical designer from Italy, "the 8^th of March is an ordinary day in Italy but with an intense smell of mimosa".

This year celebrations of International Women's Day in Kazakhstan will last 3 days, from 8 to 10 of March.