March 8· Holiday
International Women's Day
A day honouring women — a public holiday by law in Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.
8 March is International Women's Day, recognised by the UN in 1977 as a day for women's rights and peace. It is a public holiday by law in Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.
The Turkic world has proud milestones in women's rights: the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic gave women the vote in 1919, earlier than many European countries, and women in Türkiye won the right to vote and stand for office in 1934.
How it is marked
Mothers, sisters, wives and teachers receive flowers — especially tulips and mimosa — festive concerts are held and heads of state congratulate women.
Video
Photos
A bouquet of red tulips · George E. Koronaios / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 
Pink tulips · George E. Koronaios / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 
Spring flowers · Gábor Juhász juhg / Wikimedia Commons · CC0 
Mimosa, a symbol of 8 March · This work was made by Nafiur Rahman and released under the license(s) stated bel / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 
A girl in Kazakh national costume · Asemaitaizhan / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 
Women in ceremonial Kazakh dress · Bill Ingalls / Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
Kyrgyzstan: other days
- January 1New Year's Day
- January 7Orthodox Christmas
- February 23Defender of the Fatherland Day
- March 5Ak-kalpak Day
- March 21Nooruz
- April 7Day of the People's April Revolution
- May 1Labour Day
- May 5Constitution Day
- May 9Victory Day
- May 29Armed Forces Day
- August 31Independence Day
- September 23State Language Day
- October 3Founding of the Organization of Turkic States
- November 7Days of History and Commemoration of Ancestors
- 10 Dhu al-Hijjah in the Islamic calendar — the feast of the Hajj pilgrimage; moves about 11 days earlier each yearEid al-Adha
- 1 Shawwal in the Islamic calendar — the end of the Ramadan fast; moves about 11 days earlier each yearEid al-Fitr