Turkmen women have been awarded 40 manats ($US 14) in the run up to International Women’s Day, which is celebrated on March 8.

Before the crisis, the sum would equal to $US 40. But still, although the amount may seem small, for a country where the average salary is about $US 40, the gift is appreciated.

The money is given to all females – from kindergarten girls to.

The tradition was introduced by the first President of the former Soviet Republic, Saparmurat Niyazov, in 2001. At that time, female citizens of the state with the world's fifth-largest reserves of natural gas, and substantial oil resources, received cash allowances and gifts to the tune of $US 40.

The Turkmen leader – who was often seen as one of the world’s most totalitarian dictators – moved the celebration from March 8 to March 20, close to Novruz – one of the major Islamic holidays, and, also, his mother’s birthday. The new holiday was called National Day of Spring.

After Niyazov’s death in 2006, the new president, Gurbanguly Berdymuhammedov returned the traditional International Women’s Day to the Turkmen calendar.

March 8 has been celebrated as Women’s Day since the beginning of 20th century. It first started as a political event, but later became an occasion when men have a chance to express their appreciation to the females. Although rather unheard of in the West, the holiday is widely celebrated in Russia and some of the former Soviet republics.