DHAKA, March 9 (Xinhua) -- The International Women's Day was observed in Bangladesh capital on Friday as elsewhere in the world with renewed vows to protect women's rights at every sphere of life.

This year's theme for International Women's Day was "Think equal, build smart, innovate for change."

Women in capital Dhaka held a candlelight vigil in the first hour of Friday and observed a minute of silence with the theme "Soman Bhabi, Soman Thaki, Soman Soman Samne Choli (Think equally, live equally, move forward equally)."

Colorful processions were also organized in capital Dhaka. Ministers, senior government and non-government officials and women's rights activists joined the processions.

Many women in the procession were seen holding banners and placards showing their demands for empowerment of women in every stage of the society.

Some organizations arranged programs to honor talented and successful women in their respective fields.

The United Nations has been celebrating International Women's Day on March 8 every year since 1975.

In a message on the eve of the day, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged all to work together for ensuring women empowerment, their equal rights and opportunity.