A dozen female artists of varying backgrounds feature on Google’s interactive doodle for International Women’s Day on Thursday. Google said it had reached out to 12 female artists to share their personal stories.

International Women’s Day, set for March 8 every year since 1914, is a call to recognise the struggle for equal rights regardless of gender.

“While each artist tells a unique story, the themes are universal, reminding us of how much we often have in common,” the internet giant said. “We hope that the combined power of words and images help bring these stories to life in a way that invokes feelings of understanding, empathy, and spirit of the day.”

The company said it had translated each story in more than 80 languages. “Thanks to all the women in our own lives who continue to move and change the world with their own stories,” it added.

The doodle highlights artists Anna Haifisch, Chihiro Takeuchi, Estelí Meza, Francesca Sanna, Isuri, Karabo Poppy Moletsane, Kaveri Gopalakrishnan, Laerte, Philippa Rice, Saffa Khan, Tillie Walden and Tunalaya Dunn. The search engine has encouraged women across the world to share their own stories on the occasion using #HerStoryOurStory.

After the user clicks on the play button on the doodle, they are shown thumbnails of each story. The stories and experiences are shared in a visual narratives.

Several users took to Twitter to share their favourite stories.