Global Demonstrations Mark International Women's Day

On International Women's Day, individuals around the globe rallied in solidarity for women's rights, voicing their opposition to violence, inequality, and the rise of reactionary forces. From Paris to Istanbul, hundreds of thousands took to the streets to demand change.

In Paris, approximately 120,000 demonstrators marched, advocating for equal pay and an end to sexual violence, as reported by the organizing group Grève féministe. The protests were part of a nationwide effort, with around 150 events held across France, mobilized by around 50 organizations, including unions and women's rights groups.

Lucie, an 18-year-old protester, expressed her commitment to defending abortion rights and opposing the growing influence of far-right ideologies, which she finds alarming. Salomé Hocquard, the deputy chair of the student union Unef, emphasized that cases of sexual abuse, such as that of Gisèle Pelicot, highlight the pervasive nature of sexual violence, describing it as a manifestation of oppressive patriarchal structures.

The case of Pelicot, a 72-year-old woman who became a symbol in the fight against domestic sexual violence, has reverberated throughout France and beyond. Her struggle represents a broader fight against a system that enables such abuses.

Concerns over setbacks in women's rights were prevalent among demonstrators in Paris, Berlin, and Madrid. Dori Martínez Monroy, a participant in a protest in Madrid, lamented visible regressions in rights and called for reclaiming what has already been achieved. In Berlin, Steffi Voigt voiced her fears concerning the decline of women's rights.

Demonstrations were not limited to Europe. In eastern Ukraine, protesters observed a moment of silence for women who lost their lives defending the country against the Russian invasion, carrying banners with images of the deceased. In Jakarta, activist Ajeng criticized government budget cuts that jeopardize women's rights.

In Mexico City, thousands took to the streets in a country where, according to UN reports, an average of ten women are murdered daily. Meanwhile, in Caracas, about 150 demonstrators gathered, concealing their identities to avoid retaliation from security forces, demanding the release of political prisoners held by President Nicolás Maduro's government. The protests in Venezuela have intensified following a controversial election in July that saw Maduro's re-election.

In Istanbul, an estimated 3,000 women marched peacefully through the city center under tight security, organized by the initiative Feministischer Nachtmarsch. Participants donned purple clothing and held banners with messages asserting their refusal to be silenced and their determination to continue fighting for equality.

LGBTQ activist Cigdem Özdemir stated that her participation aimed to highlight the struggle against male violence and to advocate for their rights and place in society. The Turkish government's designation of 2025 as the 'Year of the Family' has raised concerns among women about being confined to domestic roles, while LGBTQ individuals feel increasingly criminalized.

Reports indicated that over 200 individuals were arrested during the Istanbul protests, with videos emerging showing police using force against demonstrators.

In Iran, women's rights advocate Narges Mohammadi, who has been temporarily released from prison for health reasons, addressed the public through social media, stating her belief that the Islamic Republic cannot withstand the resistance of women. She highlighted the ongoing struggles faced by women in Iran since the establishment of the regime in 1979, characterizing their situation as a form of gender apartheid.

As the global demonstrations for International Women's Day continue, they underscore the urgent need for action and solidarity in the ongoing fight for women's rights.