It is a good thing that for many Chinese International Women's Day is not only an official event, but also a real occasion to celebrate women and their irreplaceable contribution to the development of modern China. We have all been impressed by the hard work, expertise, resilience, good cheer and dedication of Chinese women.

But International Women's Day is also a reminder that in most countries equality between women and men is still elusive. Discrimination and violence against women are pervasive in all regions of the world. As much as ever, global solidarity and action are needed.

We, several female ambassadors and representatives currently accredited to the People's Republic of China, feel we should all join forces even more vigorously to ensure the full enjoyment of women's rights everywhere and to prevent violence against women wherever it occurs. We can exchange views and best practices on how to achieve dignity and integrity for all women and an end to gender-based violence, economic independence for both women and men, equal pay for work of equal value as well as equality in decision making. We appeal to the media to continue to build public awareness of the need for equality between women and men.