@Cooking_Lager I think you're mistaking self-confidence with sexual aggression and as for the phrase equality is about women getting what they want - um, no, that's inequality too!

The kind of sexual aggression I'm talking about is, for example, that young women now think that they have to fake lesbian dance in clubs to even be worthy of attention, that they will be filmed performing sex acts on men in order to be allowed into the VIP area because then they've 'made it' - where's the self-esteem in that?

However, I think you're right that there's also a growing issue amongst young men too, that they are under pressure to act a certain way, to be ambivalent or dismissive towards women and that a lot of their personal esteem is also wrapped up in the physical but, as you rightly pointed out, we are in a patriarchal society and a growing insecurity in male youth - that they aren't getting the kind of exam results their female counterparts are for example - is only going to fuel this spiral if this is also not addressed.

I would like to add that none of the above is in any way saying taking a healthy interest in working out and staying fit isn't important, it is and is something I certainly need to do more of!! : )

A trader watches a monitor displaying stocks on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange Feb. 4, 2010. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

@DVD Thanks for that video. To quote the last line: "Here's to love and to we, women."

A model presents a creation from the Vivienne Westwood 2010 Autumn/Winter collection during London Fashion Week, February 21, 2010. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett

Some facts for IWD 1. A direct link can be made between increased female labor participation and growth. twurl.nl

UN estimates show that if women's paid employment rates were to equal men's, U.S. GDP would be 9% higher, euro zone's would be 13% higher

Women perform 66% of the world's work, produce 50% of the food, but earn 10% of the income and own 1 percent of the property, UNICEF says

Fact: About 14 million adolescent girls become pregnant each year, with over 90% of those girls living in developing countries.

Have to say that this blog has been amazing in learning about all the different issues women from acorss the globe are facing and has also been a great resource for giving new ideas to think and therefore write about..

Claudia (15 years Old): Girls Outdoors: “11 girls and 2 teachers went on trip to Aspen to learn about the outdoors and what makes a hero. Faced with challenges, 5 feet of snow, Backpacking with 20 lb backpacks through five feet of snow made me realize that women are much stronger than I thought…You must follow through and persevere to make a difference. Women in general are very strong and through the support of other women, big things can happen. It made me realize I can accomplish anything, life is always going to be an uphill battle, but I will push through no matter what.”

A girl with tape on her mouth takes part in a working women's rally in Lahore March 7, 2010, ahead of IWD REUTERS/Mohsin Raza

North Korean officials attend a national meeting to celebrate IWD in Pyongyang in this picture released by the North's KCNA news agency.

RT @womensmediacntr: Kathryn Bigelow isn't even a trending topic on Twitter right now - where's the love? We need to recognize #women in ...