27 countries (mainly former Soviet republics) have adopted International Women’s Day as a national holiday, and it is widely observed in several others.
For most of the countries who observe this holiday, if it falls on a weekend, it will be moved to the following Monday. If it falls on a Tuesday or Thursday, several countries will bridge the holiday to the weekend by declaring an additional public holiday on the Monday or Friday – though often this is compensated for by making a Saturday a working day and thus Sunday.
In Russia, Women’s Day is a significant and popular holiday. Its source in the events of 1917 that were part of the Russian revolution meant it was a holiday that was promoted by the Soviet regime.
The day first became a national holiday in 1965.
It is traditional on this holiday to present women with gifts and flowers to express appreciation for their work, love, and devotion. Across Russia, this public holiday is generally seen as a day to celebrate femininity, beauty and the oncoming spring season rather than a day for women’s and minority rights.
It can be regarded as mixing up elements of Mother’s Day combined with some aspects of Valentine’s Day. Indeed, sales of flowers on Women’s Day in Russia outstrip those on Valentine’s Day.