Protesters rally on International Women’s Day

Protesters rally on International Women’s Day | Daily Tribune

PARIS, France (AFP) — Protesters took to the streets across the world Saturday to mark International Women’s Day, demanding equal pay, political representation and an end to gender-based violence while voicing fears of rising repression.

In eastern Ukraine, scores of demonstrators held a minute’s silence to honor women killed defending the country from Russia’s invasion. Many carried banners bearing the faces of the deceased.

“Women are half of our society and we need to talk about what they do, what they are like, how they protect and what they do to make our country free and independent,” activist Iryna Lysykova told Agence France-Presse in Kharkiv.

Many of the women marching in European capitals including Paris, Berlin and Madrid said they feared the growing strength of reactionary political forces, including a resurgent far right.

“It is coming now and we’re taking backwards steps,” said Dori Martinez Monroy, 63, in the Spanish capital. “We have to reclaim what has already been won, because women are the first to be targeted.”

In Jakarta, one activist, Ajeng, accused the Indonesian government of budget cuts that were “making women lose their rights.

“Women are killed, impoverished, criminalized,” she said, as nearby protesters held up placards reading “This body belongs to me” and “Glory to the women of the working class.”

“Indonesian woman are fighting against the state for these reasons,” she said.

Some demonstrators directed their ire at United States President Donald Trump.

In Paris, women from the Femen activist group marched topless with either the US or the Russian flag, marked with a swastika, painted on their chests.

The Republican has been accused of sexual abuse by multiple women, and his administration has been blamed for pushing through policies hostile to women.

In Argentina, thousands joined demonstrations across the country, with many criticizing President Javier Milei for policies including shuttering the ministry responsible for addressing gender violence and inequality.

At the Berlin protest, some demonstrators held placards bearing messages including “Burn the patriarchy not the planet.”