International Women’s Day is a global celebration commemorating the movement for women’s rights and celebrating the achievements of women, and simultaneously marking a call to action for the acceleration of gender parity.

So, as this year’s celebration draws a close, let’s take a glance at some of the most significant events in 2017-18 which marked ‘A first for women in India’.

India`s first all-women station in Mumbai

The first all-women station in India, Matunga on Central Railway (CR), manned by a staff of 41 women, entered the Limca Book of Records.

 Jaipur`s Gandhi Nagar became India`s first all-women non-suburban station

From selling and checking of tickets to security, all the operations will be controlled and operated by the 40 women.

World`s first Indian all-women circumnavigation crew in SA

An all-women crew leading the Indian Navy Sailing Vessel (INSV) Tarini docked at a port in Cape Town in South Africa, during the last phase of its maiden voyage to circumnavigate the globe. The expedition is being covered in five legs, with stop-overs at Fremantle in Australia, Lyttleton in New Zealand, Port Stanley in Falklands, and Cape Town in South Africa.

Breastfeeding cabins to come up at Railway Stations

Indian Railways has taken a commendable step of setting up breastfeeding cabins at Kollam Railway Station in Kerala. The first cabin is a precursor to several such cabins that are likely to come up at Kerala railway stations.

In a first at R-Day parade, Women BSF bikers display daredevilry

In a first, an all-women contingent of the Border Security Force (BSF) performed daredevil stunts on the occasion of India’s 69th Republic Day. BSF’s women motorcycle team ‘SeemaBhawani’ showcased their breathtaking driving skills drawing a huge cheer from thousands of people gathered at the event including Asean leaders.

AvaniChaturvedi became 1st Indian woman to fly fighter aircraft solo

Flying Officer AvaniChaturvedi became the first Indian woman to fly a fighter aircraft solo. The historic feat was achieved on February 19 when the officer flew a MiG-21 Bison aircraft at the Jamnagar airbase in Gujarat.

 In a first, Bhopal railway station now has a sanitary pad vending machine

Bhopal Junction railway station installed a sanitary napkin vending machine, becoming the first station in the country to do so. Named `Happy Nari`, it is an attempt at providing sanitary pads to women at an affordable price.