Protesters Take On The Streets For International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day has historically been marked by celebratory marches as well as protests for equal rights. Today, thousands of people are continuing this tradition and taking to the streets to celebrate International Women’s Day and demand equality. Here are some of the inspiring IWD marches and protests around the world:

Mexico City, Mexico

In Mexico, women are wearing green handkerchiefs in front of the Monument to the Revolution in Mexico City to push for expanded access to abortion across the country. Currently, Mexico City has had legalized abortion since 2006, but other states have yet to follow, so these protesters are calling for the decriminalization of abortion for all Mexican women.

Istanbul, Turkey

In Turkey, close to 10,000 religious and secular women, groups that have often clashed heads on certain issues, are coming together to voice their discontent for the increasingly authoritative Turkish government who continue to roll back rights for Turkish people, and especially women. The police responded by firing tear gas into the crowds in an attempt to disperse the march, but these brave women persisted.

Madrid and Barcelona, Spain

For the second year in a row, Spanish women will be taking part in a “feminist strike,” bringing much of the city to a standstill. Recently, Spain’s major right-wing political parties have voiced opposition to legislation for issues like domestic violence. These women are going on strike in hopes of raising awareness for the wage gap, sexual discrimination, and violence against women.