In 1977, the UNO had declared March 8 as 'Women's Day'.

To celebrate this annual event, the BAPS Women's Wing organized special day-long events throughout March 2008 at BAPS centers worldwide. Entitled 'Bhaktimata Day', after Bhagwan Swaminarayan's mother, the celebrations at each center highlighted Bhagwan Swaminarayan's unique contributions to the social and spiritual uplift of women.

From the first begining of the 19th century, Bhagwan Swaminarayan promoted women's welfare by arranging opportunities for secular, spiritual and study, providing women's mandirs, abolishing sati and infanticide customs and other inspiring programs.

Over 18,500 women of all ages participated in these enlightening celebrations.