Thousands of people around the world commemorated International Women’s Day on Saturday with demonstrations and feminist actions calling for an end to gender violence, equal rights and opportunities, and socioeconomic well-being.
In the Americas, the first events began on Friday, as thousands of women marched in La Paz, Bolivia, demanding respect for their rights and protesting the impunity surrounding gender violence cases. One of the most powerful slogans chanted during the march was: “What’s the big deal? They kill us, they rape us, and the state does nothing.” The chants grew louder as the march passed the headquarters of the courts and prosecutors in La Paz.
On Saturday, activists in Manila, Philippines, gathered to commemorate International Women’s Day, joining global calls for gender equality and women’s rights. The women’s rights group ‘Gabriela’ performed in a powerful display as part of the event in the capital.
In Islamabad, Pakistan, despite local authorities denying their request for permission to hold a protest coinciding with the holy month of Ramadan, dozens of women gathered at the National Press Club to march toward the emblematic D-Chowk. They chanted slogans demanding equal rights and an end to gender discrimination during the Aurat March, also known as the Women’s March.
In Tunisia, International Women’s Day was commemorated with an exhibition in Tunis titled “Dare to Care.” This exhibition highlighted the burden of domestic labor on women in Tunisia, showing that women spend up to 12 hours a day on unpaid household work, compared to just 45 minutes for men. This imbalance keeps women from achieving economic autonomy. “Our study showed that young Tunisians have a more conservative mentality than adults, with a significant gap between men and women,” said Boutheina Hammadi, coordinator of the UN Women Tunisia project behind the exhibition.
In Spain, thousands marched through downtown Madrid in heavy rain for the first demonstrations of the day. The feminist movement, although divided, came together to raise awareness about the growing threats to women’s rights, especially as far-right ideologies gain ground worldwide. Some protests took on a festive tone, while others sounded a warning about the dangers posed by these political shifts.
In Italy, thousands gathered in major cities to denounce male violence and the patriarchy, particularly amid the controversy surrounding the proposed feminicide law introduced by Italy’s far-right government under Giorgia Meloni.
In Portugal, hundreds of women—along with some men—marched through central Lisbon chanting, “We are not a commodity,” as they demanded equal rights. Participants held signs reading messages like “They wanted to burn us, we became fire,” “Without feminism, there is no revolution,” “Reproductive work is work,” and “Equality, union, and inclusion.” The march also marked 50 years since the 1975 revolution, which led to significant changes in the country.
In Paris, radical feminist organizations participated in a night march in solidarity with Palestinian women, raising their voices against right-wing and authoritarian governments. Demonstrators invoked Nazi salutes with slogans like “Heil Trump,” “Heil Putin,” and “Heil Meloni” as they criticized the growing authoritarianism in many parts of the world. The Eiffel Tower was lit in solidarity with Afghan women, drawing attention to the harsh situation they face under Taliban rule.
In Brussels, thousands of people gathered to demonstrate in the city center, defending women’s rights in response to the “worrying setbacks” seen globally in the fight for gender equality. Activists in the Belgian capital raised their voices against the erosion of women’s rights in various parts of the world, sending a strong message of solidarity and determination.
