Skip linksSkip to Content
play
Live
Navigation menu
  • News
    • Africa
    • Asia
    • US & Canada
    • Latin America
    • Europe
    • Asia Pacific
  • Middle East
  • Explained
  • Opinion
  • Sport
  • Video
    • Features
    • Economy
    • Human Rights
    • Climate Crisis
    • Investigations
    • Interactives
    • In Pictures
    • Science & Technology
    • Podcasts
    • Travel
play
Live

In Pictures

Gallery|Women

In Pictures: Thousands rally on International Women’s Day

Thousands march to demand gender equality, better working conditions and an end to violence against women.

Save

Share

facebookxwhatsapp-strokecopylink
Afghanistan refugee women living in India hold placards during a demonstration to mark International Womens' Day in New Delhi, India. [Manish Swarup/AP Photo]
By News Agencies
Published On 8 Mar 20218 Mar 2021

Marches marking International Women’s Day took place around the world on Monday, despite the widespread imposition of restrictions designed to contain the coronavirus pandemic.

Thousands took to the streets in cities across Asia, the Middle East and Europe to demand gender equality, better working conditions and an end to violence against women. Marches were planned in cities across Latin America and North America.

The United Nations human rights agency warned that the pandemic is robbing many refugees, displaced and stateless women and girls of their livelihoods and their future, and growing poverty is endangering the lives of many.

“The unprecedented socioeconomic impacts of the pandemic are leaving many lives in peril. We are seeing extremely worrying increases in reports of gender-based violence, including domestic violence, forced marriages, child labour and adolescent pregnancies,” said UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi.

An Ethnic Uighur demonstrator holding a placard that reads 'Rape is crime of humanity' takes part in a gathering on the occasion of International Women's Day in Istanbul, Turkey, to protest against China's treatment of Uighurs. [Murad Sezer/Reuters]
Advertisement
People attend a demonstration to mark International Women's Day, amid the coronavirus pandemic in Berlin, Germany. [Annegret Hilse/Reuters]
Women hold placards and shout slogans during a rally for gender equality and against violence towards women to mark the International Women's Day in Pristina, Kosovo. [Armend Nimani/AFP]
Women take part in a protest during the International Women's Day in Jakarta, Indonesia. [Ajeng Dinar Ulfiana/Reuters]
Women take part in a rally demanding tax-free sanitary products during the International Women's Day in Kathmandu, Nepal. [Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters]
Activists of the Non una di Meno (Not One Less) movement demonstrate against structural violence and for economic independence in front of the Ministry of Economy on the occasion of International Women's Day, in Rome, Italy. [Angelo Carconi/EPA]
Advertisement
Demonstrators hold banners as they participate in a rally against gender-based violence and discrimination in Tokyo, Japan. [Franck Robichon/EPA]
Women shout slogans during a protest against the rise in fuel prices on the occasion of International Women's Day in Kolkata, India. [Rupak De Chowdhuri/Reuters]
A woman beats a drum with a sign that translates as 'Beat patriarchy' as she takes part in a march to mark International Women's Day in Almaty, Kazakhstan. [Pavel Mikheyev/Reuters]
A police officer blocks demonstrators holding a banner as they protest during the International Women's Day, in Manila, Philippines. [Lisa Marie David/Reuters]
Demonstrators wearing face masks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus hold a rainbow-coloured umbrella during a rally before the International Women's Day in Istanbul, Turkey. [Murad Sezer/Reuters]
Women take part in a feminist protest in front of the Romanian government's headquarters in Bucharest, Romania. [Daniel Mihailescu/AFP]
Women police officers escort activists of the Aurat March during a rally to mark the International Women's Day in Islamabad, Pakistan. [Aamir Qureshi/AFP]
Midwives demonstrate in Strasbourg, eastern France, to call for better working conditions as part of the international Women's Day. [Frederick Florin/AFP]

Related

  • In Pictures: Nigerian women use fashion to ease the trauma of war

    In displacement camps in northeast Nigeria, dressmaking helps women earn an income and dream of a brighter future.

    Published On 8 Mar 20218 Mar 2021
    Aisha, a dressmaker in Dalori displacement camp, shows off the pink dress with white flowers she made. [Alyona Synenko/ICRC]
    This gallery article has 11 imagescamera11
  • OPINIONOPINION,

    What is International Women’s Day for Black women?

    It is a reminder of the erasure of Black feminist struggles.

    Opinion by Edna BonhommeEdna Bonhomme
    Published On 8 Mar 20218 Mar 2021
    Picketers representing the National Association of Colored Women march past the White House in Washington, DC, July 30, 1956, carrying posters protesting the lynching of four Black people in Georgia [File: AP]
    quotes
  • ‘Indian state is afraid of strong women’: Activist Safoora Zargar

    Charged under a stringent anti-terror law, jailed for weeks despite her pregnancy, Zargar shares her ordeal in prison.

    Published On 8 Mar 20218 Mar 2021
    Safoora Zargar [courtesy of Safoora’s family]
  • OPINIONOPINION,

    South African women are taking a stand against rape culture

    The recent accusations of rape against two popular DJs triggered a much-needed conversation on rape culture in SA.

    Opinion by Omogolo TaunyaneOmogolo Taunyane
    Published On 4 Mar 20214 Mar 2021
    South African Women take part in a protest against gender-based violence nationwide gatherings during 16 Days of Activism on November 28, 2020 in Cape Town, South Africa. It is reported that about 200 protesters gathered outside parliament to protest against Gender Based Violence. (Photo by Brenton Geach/Gallo Images via Getty Images)
    quotes

More from Gallery

  • Photos: Displaced Lebanese families return home despite Israeli attacks

    Tens of thousands return to southern Lebanon despite warnings and risks
    This gallery article has 13 imagescamera13
  • Photos: Afghan villagers turn to gold-panning to sustain livelihoods

    Afghan villagers turn to gold panning to sustain livelihoods
    This gallery article has 9 imagescamera9
  • Photos: Families across Sudan endure years of displacement, hunger, loss

    Crowd of children sits under a tree and listens to a teacher.
    This gallery article has 17 imagescamera17
  • Photos: Maradona’s childhood home becomes soup kitchen for those in need

    A woman rides a bicycle past murals depicting the late football star Diego Maradona.
    This gallery article has 11 imagescamera11

Most popular

  • Iran says no talks ‘under shadow of threats’; Trump says blockade to remain

    Relatives pray by the graves of Hussein Dbouk, 80, and his Son Rabih Dbouk, 32, victims retrieved from the rubble of a building hit by an Israeli strike just before the ceasefire, following a funeral ceremony, amid a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, in Tyre, southern Lebanon, April 20, 2026.
  • Louisiana mass shooting: What we know about suspect, eight children killed

    Community and family members gather after children, with ages ranging from 1 to 14, were killed in a mass shooting
  • Iran war updates: Uncertainty over talks, Trump says deal to come ‘quickly’

    A view of Iranian-flagged cargo ship M/V Touska as the U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class Aegis guided missile destroyer USS Spruance conducts its interception in a location given as the north Arabian Sea, in this screen capture from a video released April 19, 2026.
  • Outcry grows over Israeli soldier smashing Jesus statue in Lebanon

    Rescuers

  • About

    • About Us
    • Code of Ethics
    • Terms and Conditions
    • EU/EEA Regulatory Notice
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Cookie Preferences
    • Accessibility Statement
    • Sitemap
    • Work for us
  • Connect

    • Contact Us
    • User Accounts Help
    • Advertise with us
    • Stay Connected
    • Newsletters
    • Channel Finder
    • TV Schedule
    • Podcasts
    • Submit a Tip
    • Paid Partner Content
  • Our Channels

    • Al Jazeera Arabic
    • Al Jazeera English
    • Al Jazeera Investigative Unit
    • Al Jazeera Mubasher
    • Al Jazeera Documentary
    • Al Jazeera Balkans
    • AJ+
  • Our Network

    • Al Jazeera Centre for Studies
    • Al Jazeera Media Institute
    • Learn Arabic
    • Al Jazeera Centre for Public Liberties & Human Rights
    • Al Jazeera Forum
    • Al Jazeera Hotel Partners

Follow Al Jazeera English:

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • youtube
  • instagram-colored-outline
  • rss
Al Jazeera Media Network logo
© 2026 Al Jazeera Media Network