The world is marking the International Women's Day of March 8. Its story starts in 1857 when New York female textile workers started a strike demanding higher wages. Social democrat Clara Zetkin proposed feminists to set a day they would use to focus attention on problem of women, gender inequality.
Russia marked the day for the first time in Saint-Petersburg on March 2, 1913, with a lecture about the women's right for vote, state support of maternity and costliness of life, attended by 1500 people.
The Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR made March 8 a day off in 1965 as tribute to achievements of women in building communism, heroism during war and efforts for peace between peoples.
The UN gave it international status in 1975. Although it lost its political overtone, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Moldova, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Abkhazia mark it as an international day.
Alexander Khloponin, Russian Vice Premier and Plenipotentiary Presidential Envoy to the North Caucasian Federal District, has congratulated women on the International Women's Day. He reminded about the special attitude to women in the Caucasus. Khloponin noted that Rasul Gamzatov had dedicated many great verses to them.
Dagestani acting Leader Ramazan Abdulatipov congratulated women. He called them great hard-workers, skilled specialists, experienced chiefs, but most importantly, caring mothers and loving wives.
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev congratulated women on his Twitter page.
Vestnik Kavkaza congratulates all women on March 8 and the upcoming spring, wishes them health, beauty, good spirit.
