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Demonstrators block the Gran Via street during a protest marking International Women's Day in Barcelona on March 8, 2019. - Unions, feminist associations and left-wing parties have called for a work stoppage for two hours on March 8, hoping to recreate the strike and mass protests seen nationwide to mark the same day in 2018. (Photo by PAU BARRENA / AFP) — AFP or licensors

In pictures: On International Women's Day, millions around the world march to demand gender equality

Women's rights have a long way to go all around the world, and today they march about it.
Dawn.com Published March 8, 2019

Marches and protests were held across the globe on Friday to mark International Women's Day under the slogan #BalanceforBetter, with calls for a more gender-balanced world.

The day, sponsored by the United Nations since 1975, celebrates women's achievements and aims to further their rights.

Thousands of women walked off the job in Spain, joining millions more around the world demanding equality amid a persistent salary gap, violence and widespread inequality.

In Pakistan, women in large numbers, as well as men, participated in the ‘Aurat March’ across the country to mark the day.

In neighbouring India, hundreds of women marched on the streets of New Delhi demanding an end to domestic violence, sexual attacks and discrimination in jobs.

Women activists shout slogans as they mark International Women's Day during in Jakarta, Indonesia. — AP
Women activists shout slogans as they mark International Women's Day during in Jakarta, Indonesia. — AP

Activists participate in a walk to mark International Women’s Day organized by the Aurat Foundation in Peshawar. — APP
Activists participate in a walk to mark International Women’s Day organized by the Aurat Foundation in Peshawar. — APP

People attend an event in connection with the 'Aurat March' on International Women's Day in Karachi on Friday. — Photo: Sukena Rizvi
People attend an event in connection with the 'Aurat March' on International Women's Day in Karachi on Friday. — Photo: Sukena Rizvi

Exiled Tibetan women pose for photographs through a window cutout in a banner put up by the Tibetan Women's Association, to mark the International Women's Day in Dharmsala, India. — AP
Exiled Tibetan women pose for photographs through a window cutout in a banner put up by the Tibetan Women's Association, to mark the International Women's Day in Dharmsala, India. — AP

On February 02, 2019 a woman with her face painted took part in a protest against gender violence and femicides in Mexico City. — AFP
On February 02, 2019 a woman with her face painted took part in a protest against gender violence and femicides in Mexico City. — AFP

A female vendor prepares tea at her pushcart in Multan as International Women's Day is observed on Friday. — APP
A female vendor prepares tea at her pushcart in Multan as International Women's Day is observed on Friday. — APP

An effigy of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte lies under coloured paper blocks as women groups mark International Women's Day during a rally near the Malacanang presidential palace in Manila, Philippines. — AP
An effigy of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte lies under coloured paper blocks as women groups mark International Women's Day during a rally near the Malacanang presidential palace in Manila, Philippines. — AP

Demonstrators block the Gran Via street during a protest marking International Women's Day in Barcelona on Friday. — AFP
Demonstrators block the Gran Via street during a protest marking International Women's Day in Barcelona on Friday. — AFP

Women participate in a bicycle rally between the National Press Club and Margallah Road to mark International Women’s Day in Islamabad. — APP
Women participate in a bicycle rally between the National Press Club and Margallah Road to mark International Women’s Day in Islamabad. — APP

Migrant domestic helpers and activists hold placards as they attend a protest demanding better working conditions to mark International Women's Day in Hong Kong. — AFP
Migrant domestic helpers and activists hold placards as they attend a protest demanding better working conditions to mark International Women's Day in Hong Kong. — AFP

Indian women shout slogans at a march to mark International Women's Day in New Delhi on March 8. — AFP
Indian women shout slogans at a march to mark International Women's Day in New Delhi on March 8. — AFP

Students participate in a walk to mark International Women’s Day at the University of Sargodha. — APP
Students participate in a walk to mark International Women’s Day at the University of Sargodha. — APP

South Korean women dressed as witch take part in a march supporting feminism during a protest to mark International Women's Day in Seoul. — AFP
South Korean women dressed as witch take part in a march supporting feminism during a protest to mark International Women's Day in Seoul. — AFP

An Indian ragpicker woman walks with recyclable material from a dump yard on International Women's Day in Hyderabad, India. — AFP
An Indian ragpicker woman walks with recyclable material from a dump yard on International Women's Day in Hyderabad, India. — AFP

Catalan regional police forces Mossos d'Esquadra drag a woman as they disperse demonstrators blocking the Gran Via street during a protest marking International Women's Day in Barcelona. — AFP
Catalan regional police forces Mossos d'Esquadra drag a woman as they disperse demonstrators blocking the Gran Via street during a protest marking International Women's Day in Barcelona. — AFP

Lady workers spread plastic bags for drying purposes at a local factory in Multan on International Women's Day. — APP
Lady workers spread plastic bags for drying purposes at a local factory in Multan on International Women's Day. — APP

An activist marks International Women's Day during a rally near Merdeka palace in Jakarta, Indonesia. — AP
An activist marks International Women's Day during a rally near Merdeka palace in Jakarta, Indonesia. — AP

Students perform in a tableau during a function to mark International Women’s Day at Women’s Degree College Organi in Gilgit. — APP
Students perform in a tableau during a function to mark International Women’s Day at Women’s Degree College Organi in Gilgit. — APP

Comments (10) Closed
M. Saeed
Mar 08, 2019 06:54pm
This is a changed world now. Any day is a women's day
Recommend 0
Gordon D. Walker
Mar 08, 2019 08:08pm
Good photos. Go ladies, go... Gordon D. Walker Canada
Recommend 0
Daood Hamdai
Mar 08, 2019 08:13pm
@M. Saeed, it should be, but it isn’t yet. We have to keep working.
Recommend 0
Gulshan Bhatia
Mar 09, 2019 12:00am
Women should take a pledge to cast their vote wherever permitted and use their own brain when doing so.
Recommend 0
Asif
Mar 09, 2019 05:38am
@M. Saeed, not in Pakistan or any other developing country, its not
Recommend 0
Umair Ahmed
Mar 09, 2019 09:07am
@M. Saeed, Agreed with you...! (Every Day, is Women Day)
Recommend 0
Haque
Mar 09, 2019 01:07pm
Way to go ladies. Epic slogan, "GandI nazar teri, aur parda mein karun?"
Recommend 0
Anonymouseeeee
Mar 10, 2019 02:51pm
How about work equality, instead of gender equality.
Recommend 0
Akil Akhtar
Mar 11, 2019 09:31am
Fight for real women issues rather than making it a fight against men...which will not serve women....women are still paid less in the west after similar campaigns by feminists for decades because they did not get much support due to misguided target.......
Recommend 0
Truth
Mar 11, 2019 11:21am
@Haque, Weird. He should correct his gaze. Women and men should dress modestly. It is that simple.
Recommend 0
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