IN IMAGES, IN PICTURES – From Kabul to Colombo, via Paris and Berlin, demonstrations marched through the streets to celebrate March 8. A much riskier initiative in some countries around the world.
Established in 1977 by the UN, this day of struggle is embodied in different countries where women’s rights are far from being equivalent. A world tour of a high-risk fight in certain regions of the planet.
Afghanistan, brave women in a country adrift
About twenty women defied the ban and gathered in Kabul to celebrate this International Women’s Rights Day. And this, despite the regime’s violent repression against them.
This Wednesday, March 8, the UN has also described Afghanistan as the country “the most repressive in the world on women’s rights. Since the return of the Taliban to power, women have gradually lost all of their rights: that of traveling without being accompanied by a male relative, that of accessing parks, gardens, sports halls and public baths, or to take courses at a university.
Germany and the United Kingdom: marches in tribute to the courage of Iranian women
In Berlin, hundreds of people gathered outside the German Bundestag. They paid tribute to the Iranians who have been fighting against the mullahs’ regime since the death of Mahsa Amini on September 16. The young Kurd had been arrested by the police in Tehran. She was accused of breaking the strict dress code requiring women to wear the veil.
His death sparked a historic wave of protests across the country, which resulted in harsh crackdowns. Recently, Iran has also faced a series of poisonings that have affected thousands of schoolgirls.
In London, dozens of women also used the day to pay tribute to Iranian women. To do this, they walked in silence carrying the portrait of victims of the Iranian regime. They were also dressed in red capes, clearly displaying their reference to the famous series. The Handmaid’s Tale (The Scarlet Maid in French). This fiction evokes a world dominated by men, where women are oppressed and regulated in all aspects of their lives.
France, feminist processions criss-cross major cities
Various feminist associations, such as “WeAll” or “Women Equality”, criss-crossed the streets of the major cities of France (Paris, Rennes, Lille, Toulouse) denouncing a powerful “patriarchy”.
This day comes at the heart of the protest against the pension reform. “feminist strike», «we are not born a woman but we die of it“, could we read on signs while several political figures denounced an unequal reform.
Kenya, women fighting for parity
Women and men marched through the Kibera slum in Nairobi, Kenya, to the sound of trumpets. The walk on the sandy road also brought in children.
Pakistan, divisive protests
Thousands of women took part in rallies across Pakistan on March 8, despite efforts by authorities to block divisive marches.
The marches, called “Aurat”, have been strongly criticized since their first version, in 2018. Its organizers have been accused by conservatives of promoting Western liberal values. In previous editions, Islamists had thrown stones at protesters in Islamabad.
Journalists and personalities have filmed scenes of repression claiming that the “fascism in pakistan continues“. “Police are under orders to teach anyone who shows up“, Can we read in a tweet which evokes violence in Lahore, a city in which demonstrations had been banned. They were about 2000 women to face the police in a city of more than 11 million inhabitants.
Sri Lanka, a demonstration in a nation in the midst of an economic crisis
Hundreds of anti-government protesters gathered in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on March 8, 2023. The day comes as the country is hit hard by an economic crisis. The demonstrators took this opportunity to recall their anger against recent tax reform proposals and against the economic crisis. The latter is the largest since the country’s independence in the mid-20e century.
Ukraine, a poignant tribute in a country at war
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky paid tribute this Wednesday to women “who sacrificed their livessince the start of the Russian invasion a year ago. “I think it’s important to say thank you today. To thank all the women who work, teach, study, rescue, care for, fight for Ukraine“, he said in a video.
The Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, and the Ukrainian President also attended a special award ceremony in kyiv. On the occasion of this international day, prizes were awarded to Ukrainian military women.