Marches to raise awareness of discrimination against women took place in cities around the world on International Women's Day, despite concerns about the coronavirus. The protests were widespread and well-attended, with participants demanding equal rights, an end to violence, and legal reforms.
In Spain, several protests occurred, including a large demonstration in Madrid organised by a feminist group demanding equal working rights, abortion rights, and an end to violence against women. Women in Madrid's Sol Square shouted and banged pots and pans to mark the start of the day.
In the UK, many feminist groups held online campaigns, but the 'March4Women' demonstration in London drew large crowds, including English actress Natalie Dormer. In Indonesia, women from various organisations and trade unions marched in Jakarta, demanding the government revoke gender-discriminatory laws like the 'omnibus law' and create new protections.
In Germany, hundreds of women cycled through Berlin as part of a 'Purple Ride' feminist demonstration. At Turkey's border with Greece, women held a demonstration demanding permission to cross, amid clashes between migrants and Greek border security. Bangladeshi women played basketball on the outskirts of Dhaka in a match organised for the day.
Across Pakistan, marches took place in several cities despite violent threats and legal petitions, with placards calling for an end to violence against women. In Kyrgyzstan, police detained dozens of women's rights activists in Bishkek after masked men reportedly attacked marchers; activists say women's rights are deteriorating. In Belarus, women participated in a 'beauty run' to mark the occasion.
