This International Women’s Day, 8 March 2024, join the United Nations in celebrating under the theme “Invest in women: Accelerate progress”.

The world is facing many crises,     1     (range) from geopolitical conflicts to increasing poverty levels and the severe impacts of climate change. These challenges can only     2     (address) by solutions that empower women. By investing in women, we can spark change and speed the transition towards a     3     (health), safer, and more equal world for all.

If current trends continue, more than 342 million women will     4     (live) in extreme poverty by 2030．     5     (ensure) women’s needs and     6     (priority) are considered, governments must prioritize gender-responsive financing and increase public spending on essential services and social protection.

Policymakers must also value, recognize, and account for the vital contribution women make     7     economies worldwide through paid and unpaid care work. Women spend around three times more time on unpaid care work than men     8     if these activities were assigned a monetary value they would account for more than 40 per cent of GDP.

Investing in women and championing gender equality boosts a future     9     everyone in society can thrive, creating     10     world of boundless opportunity and empowerment for all.

Wan Qiuwen has broken the glass ceiling to become one of China’s first two female rescue helicopter pilots who respond all 24/7 to search and rescue tasks.

Wan and Song Yin, the only other female pilot,     1     (graduate) from Shanghai Maritime University in 2008 to join Donghai No1 Rescued Flying Service of the Ministry of Transport.“    2     (be) a search and rescue pilot is a high-risk job. It is a big     3     (commit) and requires personal sacrifices     4     not many are willing to make. But I feel lucky     5     proud to be a member of the great team,” Wan says. She was thrilled when she finally got the admission     6     the program and was sent to Adelaide, Australia, to train for 15 months, at the end of which she acquires     7     commercial pilot’s license. Back in the country, she received     8     (far) training in helicopter search and rescue.

Wan has since joined 300-plus     9     (mission) and has also taken up the role of a flight instructor. When     10     (ask) if she will continue to fly, Wan responded affirmatively,“This profession is about saving lives. A woman is perfectly capable of being a rescue pilot, once and always.”

When people come to the Wandering Moose Cafe in Liaoning Province’s Dalian Jinpu New Area, they can taste special coffee from Canada. That is     1     its owner, Brian Clark, hopes.

The Canadian registered (注册) his company in 2016 and got a restaurant license two years     2     (late). In the cafe, people can enjoy Canadian food. They can see the decorations     3     (collect) from his country, including 100-year-old ice     4     (skate). The paint on the walls is red. Clark offers more than 20 types of beans from around the world.

Clark began his business journey in 2000. Before he and his wife decided to move to China in 2008, he     5     (own) a coffee company. His friends told him he was crazy to go to a tea country     6     (sell) coffee. But he would not quit. He appreciates and enjoys Chinese tea culture and finds similarities between tea and coffee. He believes Dalian is     7     wonderful city to raise his family and a great place to start a business.

Clark has     8     (success) established good friendships and business relationships. His local friends have helped him through the process of starting his business. When he had to do things     9     his own, government officials were     10     (patience) and helpful, he said.

It was a Friday morning, 7:30 am. I felt too lazy     1     (drive) my car, so my son booked a taxi. In five minutes, the taxi reached the entrance gate,     2    (wait) for my arrival. I just saw the taxi number and entered it. I was going to attend    3     important meeting so I said, “Please, go quick! I’m in a hurry!” The voice     4    (come), “Yes, madam!” I was surprised when I heard a female voice! The driver was a young lady. For the first time, I saw a lady who drove a taxi! Out of    5    (curious), I asked, “If you don’t mind, can I ask you a question?”

“Yes, madam! No problem.”

“It seems that you are well qualified! Why did you choose this profession?”

“Yes, madam!” she said very     6    (polite), “I have completed my education. I have done my MBA course. But driving was my passion from my childhood. I love it and I wanted a job     7     I can get satisfaction. I know that I can’t get enough money but I love driving! That’s it!”

Within     8    (we) conversation, we already reached my destination. I was so     9    (delight) to talk with her. I said, “May you happy, my child! I am proud     10     your noble thoughts! Keep going!”

At first I didn’t want to be a traffic police officer. I wanted to be a criminal police officer. When I     1     (assign) to the traffic police at the beginning, I was a little     2     (disappoint).

Later I found out that traffic police is the most commonly seen on the street, and there is indeed a lot of danger. With our help, traffic problems can be tackled, and life can run     3     (smooth).

There are the motorcycles     4     weigh more than 250 kilograms, still not quite suitable for women. In times like this, my passion for this job is what keeps me going. I first got a motorcycle rider’s License and enrolled in a gym to do     5     (strong) training. You have to be able     6     (handle) the motorcycle first before riding it.

If there’s     7     emergency, such as a pregnant woman or someone else needing to get to the hospital urgently. When we’re on duty, if a driver sees us, he or she pulls over and urges us to intervene,     8     (say) something like, “Can you help us get through? We’re     9     the way to the hospital.” We can clear the way right away.     10     time permits, we even get the person to the hospital. Moments like this make me feel very proud.

After entering the hospital and     1     (wear) my white coat, put on my curly rainbow wig, big red nose, and add my name badge, I walk through the doors into the waiting area,     2     is filled with a familiar tense atmosphere. Having learnt about a girl named Lara who hurt her ankle, I decide     3     (make) her feel better.

Scientific     4     (study) show that laughter produces chemicals to make people feel better, which means clown doctors can be helpful. We are specially trained clowns who work as part of a programme known as “hospital clowning”. I     5     (choose) this career because of my experience of going to hospital when I was a kid. Although the doctors and nurses did a great job, hospitals weren’t really designed for children. I spent much of the time when I was there feeling frightened and more than a little     6     (bore)! Being a clown doctor means I can help people by     7     (entertain) them by doing magic trick, singing songs, telling stories and, of course, telling silly jokes. Some children, though, don’t feel like     8     (laugh), especially if they’re in pain. We have to be very sensitive and work     9     (close) with the doctors and nurses, who keep us updated on each patient. We help make it a (n)     10     (friendly) place to visit than before.