Xiaonan Dai, wife of Chinese ambassador Lia Xuanxing (left) showing Pamela Bourne (second left), Lady Gollop, Thelma Bortocotti, Consul of Italy, Paola Baldi Lussan; and Lynne Ranger a paper ornament.

TODAY IS INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY and women all over the world are participating in exciting and meaningful programmes.

Celebrations started early yesterday when the Embassy of the Republic of China, Golf View Terrace, Rockley, Christ Church, hosted a special gathering where they showcased the traditional cutting of paper ornaments. The women gathered were also presented with pins and mascots commemorating the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Gender Affairs' Fiesta which was to be held in Heroes' Square today as part of the celebrations for International Women's Day has been postponed. A new date will be announced later. (KB)