For International Women’s Day 2012 Gender Across Borders in partnership with CARE has asked bloggers all around the world to respond to the theme ‘Connecting Girls, Inspiring Futures.’ We are delighted that so many (over 220!) of you signed up to participate and thank you very much for your involvement. International Women’s Day is fantastic in its aims and for what it represents, yet its mere existence is proof of our continued status as second class citizens. There is something very real that has sparked the interest and participation of all of you today. It’s a move towards inspiring girls and connecting futures.