In pictures: International Women's Day around the globe

8 March 2019

Women attend a demonstration on the occasion of the International Women's Day in Madrid — Image caption,
Protesters took to the streets in all shades of violet, a colour representing feminism

Thousands of women and men have gathered in cities across the world to mark International Women's Day on 8 March.

Many used the occasion to protest feminist issues, such as the gender pay gap, violence against women and girls, and abortion rights.

In some countries, women were called upon to strike, while in others a heavy police presence clouded peaceful demonstrations.

Woman with devil horns on march marking International Women's Day in Istanbul

Reuters

Turkey banned an International Women's Day march but thousands gathered in Istanbul anyway

Turkish anti riot police officers block the street as demonstrators gather on Istiklal avenue in Istanbul

AFP/Getty

They faced off with riot police firing tear gas and blocking entrances to Istiklal Street

Women and men of all ages, races and religion took part in the annual day, which was also declared a formal holiday in the German capital Berlin.

People, mainly women, take part in a rally during the International Women's Day in central Brussels, Belgium

Reuters

Feminists led largely peaceful protests, like this one in Brussels

An activist renames a street with a sticker reading "Wonder Woman Street" during a so-called "Feminist Strike" demonstration on International Women's Day in Paris, France,

EPA

Protesters in Paris got political - calling for women to strike

EPA

Madrid saw tens of thousands of women demonstrate on International Women's Day

Women in the Philippines raised issue with President Rodrigo Duterte's alleged misogyny, as well as his government's war on drugs, which has led to the killing of many women and human rights violations.

Protesters march on the streets of Manila on International Women's Day on March 8, 2019 in Manila, Philippines.

Getty Images

Protesters seen here marched on the streets of Manila

Latin Americans also came out in their thousands, including in Honduras and El Salvador, which have some of the continent's highest rates of femicide - the killing of a woman or girl by a man and on account of her gender.