Here's a photo I've always loved for the story that's imagined in a face. I suppose that this vendor woman I spied at the Cusco Incan ruins in Peru has probably spent most of her life making and selling handicrafts. I assume times have not always been easy, though with determination she has persevered.

Photographer: Ian Ord | Website: wheresidewalksend.com

Everyone floods the streets to sell their wares during this weekly market in Chefchaouen, Morocco. The young girl was the only one that noticed me, as the others continued catching up on stories and neighborhood gossip.

Photographer: Bethany Salvon | Website: BeersandBeans.com

I was in Jaipur, India and I saw this beautiful woman from the tuk tuk that I was in. The red of her sari caught my eye and I was compelled to take a picture of her!

Photographer: Andi Perullo | Website: mybeautifuladventures.com

This 90-year-old Hmong mother of 10 was resting outside her house in the Highlands near Chiang Mai, Thailand. She was very cooperative about photographs and did not accept money but appreciated that we bought some handicrafts.

Photographer: Carole Terwilliger Meyers | Website: www.travelswithcarole.blogspot.com

This Noodle Lady was so kind at a time when I was so hateful. I took this photo after she served me the best bowl of noodles in Shanghai. It was also my only positive experience in the city. I am thankful to her even though, with no common language, I couldn't let her know how much.

Photographer: Chrystal McKay | Website: www.chrystal-clear.com

This young Canadian tourist posed for me in London's Camden Market. I thought, I wonder if she understands how lucky she is. Being part of the next generation of North American women she'll think nothing of travelling the world on her own.

Photographer: Evelyn Hannon | Website: www.yummymummyclub.ca/blogs/evelyn-hannon-aging-disgracefully

Did you know?

- Women use 20,000 words a day while men only use 7,000.
- Females in developing countries on average carry 20 litres of water per day over 6 km.
- Of 1.2 billion people living in poverty worldwide, 70% are women.
- 80% of the world's 27 million refugees are women.
- Women own around only 1% of the world's land.
- Women control $14 trillion in assets and this should grow to $22 trillion over next 10 years.
- In Japan and Peru women are more active in starting a business than men.
- Women spend more time researching before they invest than men do.
- Women on average are away from workforce for 14.7 years compared to 1.6 years for men.
- From 1945 to 1995 the percentage of women Members of Parliament worldwide increased four-fold.

(Source: http://www.internationalwomensday.com)

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