Powerful demonstrations and protests in cities across the globe were marked for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. From Santiago to Kolkata, from Madrid to Mexico City, people took to the streets to demand an end to gender-based violence and discrimination. The day served as a reminder of the ongoing struggles women face worldwide, as well as a call for stronger protections and policies to prevent violence against women.
Rising Voices from Europe: Spain, France, and Italy Lead the Charge
In Spain, thousands marched through the streets of Madrid, marking the International Day with demands for stronger action against gender-based violence. Protesters, some wearing white masks to symbolize the facelessness of the violence women face, called for an end to femicides and highlighted issues such as the gender pay gap and the precarious employment conditions many women face. “We are here to denounce the male chauvinist violence we suffer,” said Lucía Nistal, one of the protesters. She pointed to the more than 80 femicides in Spain this year alone and connected the violence women endure to global issues such as the militarization of borders and the ongoing genocide in Palestine.
In France, the protests were equally intense, spurred by the high-profile trial of Gisèle Pelicot, whose ex-husband and dozens of other men are accused of drugging and raping her over a period of nearly ten years. The trial has brought global attention to the issue of sexual violence against women, with the French public in shock at the allegations. In Paris, over 80,000 people participated in a demonstration, with protestors holding banners and chanting slogans against gender-based violence. A spokesperson for the feminist collective ‘Nous Toutes’ (All of Us), Maelle Noir, emphasized the wide-reaching impact of gender-based violence, saying, “Unfortunately, anybody can be a perpetrator of violence. It can be our brothers, our fathers, our colleagues, or our bosses.” Demonstrators called for stronger public policies to prevent violence, including education programs and shelters for survivors. ‘Nous Toutes’ also demanded a significant budget increase—at least 2.6 billion euros annually—to tackle gender violence.
In Italy, another significant protest took place in Rome, where about 150,000 people gathered, calling for an end to violence against women and the dismantling of patriarchal structures. The demonstrators were also vocal about the ongoing suffering of women and children in Gaza, tying the day’s message of solidarity to the ongoing humanitarian crisis. “Disarm Patriarchy” was a common slogan seen on banners, with many of the protesters also voicing their support for Palestinian women.
Solidarity in the Americas: Mexico, Argentina, and Ecuador
In Latin America, the protests took on a deeply personal and political tone, as women across the region demanded justice for victims of violence. In Mexico City, demonstrators gathered in the central square to call attention to the growing rates of femicide in the country, where more than 10 women are murdered every day. The march was part of a larger movement that has been ongoing for years, as women demand accountability and the protection of their rights. The movement also gained momentum from the trial of a man accused of brutally murdering a young woman, highlighting the systemic failures to address violence against women in Mexico.
In Buenos Aires, Argentina, the streets were filled with women and allies who marched to demand an end to gender-based violence. Like their counterparts in Spain, many protesters carried signs denouncing femicide and the broader systemic oppression of women. In Ecuador’s capital, Quito, the protests echoed similar calls for action. Demonstrators shouted slogans and carried banners that demanded justice for the victims of gender-based violence, while also advocating for better legal protections for women.
Global Voices: Protests in Turkey, Greece, and Beyond
The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women also saw significant protests in countries outside of Europe and Latin America. In Turkey, where gender-based violence remains a critical issue, protesters gathered in Istanbul, despite heavy police presence and the detention of several demonstrators. The protests in Turkey also included calls for greater freedom for women to live without fear of violence, as well as solidarity with women’s movements across the globe.
Greece saw a similar turnout, with demonstrators in Athens rallying against the persistent rates of domestic violence and femicide in the country. In Bulgaria, activists took to the streets to highlight the lack of effective government action in addressing gender-based violence, while in Greece, women marched in solidarity with survivors of domestic abuse and demanded justice for the countless victims who remain unheard.
Protests in the Middle East and Beyond
In Jerusalem, the Chords Bridge was illuminated in red to mark the day, symbolizing the bloodshed many women face due to gender-based violence. The red lights served as a reminder of the ongoing struggles women face across the world, including in conflict zones like Gaza. While the protests in the Middle East were more subdued due to political sensitivities, the message of solidarity and support for women’s rights resonated strongly.
In Guatemala City, flowers were placed on an altar in remembrance of the victims of femicide, while in El Alto, Bolivia, women marched in a powerful display of unity and resistance against gender violence. These events demonstrated that the demand for justice and equality for women transcends borders and cultures.
A Call to Action: One in Three Women Affected by Gender-Based Violence
The statistics surrounding gender-based violence are alarming. A recent study revealed that one in three women in the European Union has experienced some form of gender-based violence in their lifetime. This statistic paints a grim picture of the widespread nature of the issue and underscores the need for urgent action. From the streets of Paris to those of Buenos Aires, the message was clear: women will not remain silent any longer.
As protests continue to spread worldwide, the message is becoming increasingly difficult for governments to ignore. Women’s rights groups are calling for comprehensive public policies, increased funding for victim support, and stronger laws to protect women from violence. As the protests grow louder, it is clear that the fight for gender equality and the elimination of violence against women is far from over.
A Global Movement for Change
The global protests marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women reflect a growing movement of solidarity that spans continents. While the specific demands and contexts may differ from one country to another, the underlying message is the same: women’s rights are human rights, and the world must do more to protect women from violence. From the streets of Spain to those of Mexico City, the message is clear: women will continue to fight for their rights until violence against women is eradicated once and for all.
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