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| International Women's Day: events highlighting gender inequality take place around the world - as it happened | International Women's Day: events highlighting gender inequality take place around the world - as it happened |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| Women demanded to be heard as demonstrations were seen in over a dozen countries, from Pakistan to Argentina | |
| Alright folks, we’re signing off on what was an incredible International Women’s Day. Thousands of women and allies gathered in cities across the world to protest for women’s rights and protection against violence. Demonstrations were seen in over a dozen countries, from Pakistan to Argentina. | Alright folks, we’re signing off on what was an incredible International Women’s Day. Thousands of women and allies gathered in cities across the world to protest for women’s rights and protection against violence. Demonstrations were seen in over a dozen countries, from Pakistan to Argentina. |
| For some, the risks of protesting were great. In many cities, women were often met with counter-protestors, sometimes in the form of riot police who used tear gas to disperse crowds. | For some, the risks of protesting were great. In many cities, women were often met with counter-protestors, sometimes in the form of riot police who used tear gas to disperse crowds. |
| No matter the risk, women showed up and demanded to be heard, showing the fight for rights will continue well past this day for women. | No matter the risk, women showed up and demanded to be heard, showing the fight for rights will continue well past this day for women. |
| Bogotá, Colombia | Bogotá, Colombia |
| In Bogotá, Colombia’s capital, today’s demonstrations had a timely significance following the Constitutional Court’s decision not to modify the restrictive abortion law last Monday. | In Bogotá, Colombia’s capital, today’s demonstrations had a timely significance following the Constitutional Court’s decision not to modify the restrictive abortion law last Monday. |
| “Today’s marches show that the fight for our rights is not over,” said Gina Borre, a pro-choice activist with the Viejas Verdes movement. “Each year we are more united, more powerful.” | “Today’s marches show that the fight for our rights is not over,” said Gina Borre, a pro-choice activist with the Viejas Verdes movement. “Each year we are more united, more powerful.” |
| Demonstrators, many wearing green bandanas, gathered at the Centre for Peace and Memory near downtown Bogotá on Sunday morning, before marching towards Parque Olaya in the city’s south. | Demonstrators, many wearing green bandanas, gathered at the Centre for Peace and Memory near downtown Bogotá on Sunday morning, before marching towards Parque Olaya in the city’s south. |
| “This is a debate that always gets politicized, and their are many powerful interests, like the catholic and evangelical churches,” said Olga Amparo, the coordinator of local women’s rights group Casa de la Mujer. “But we are talking about healthcare and rights - which are universal.” | “This is a debate that always gets politicized, and their are many powerful interests, like the catholic and evangelical churches,” said Olga Amparo, the coordinator of local women’s rights group Casa de la Mujer. “But we are talking about healthcare and rights - which are universal.” |
| Abortion is currently illegal in Colombia, except in cases where the life and health of the pregnant woman or the fetus are at risk, or in cases where the conception was the result of incest or rape. The court had an opportunity to loosen the law, though ultimately decided to maintain the status quo, disappointing watchdogs and activists across the region. | Abortion is currently illegal in Colombia, except in cases where the life and health of the pregnant woman or the fetus are at risk, or in cases where the conception was the result of incest or rape. The court had an opportunity to loosen the law, though ultimately decided to maintain the status quo, disappointing watchdogs and activists across the region. |
| “By failing to take this historic opportunity to move towards the decriminalization of abortion in Colombia, the Constitutional Court has turned its back on women and their struggle to end the cycle of violence and the control mechanisms of which they have been the victims,” said Erika Guevara-Rosas, Americas Director at Amnesty International, in a press release following the decision on Monday. | “By failing to take this historic opportunity to move towards the decriminalization of abortion in Colombia, the Constitutional Court has turned its back on women and their struggle to end the cycle of violence and the control mechanisms of which they have been the victims,” said Erika Guevara-Rosas, Americas Director at Amnesty International, in a press release following the decision on Monday. |
| With the law so restrictive, many women are forced to seek clandestine, illegal abortions. Over the last decade or so, Colombia has investigated 4,802 people for having or aiding in illegal abortions, according to the country’s attorney general. Nearly 500 of those cases were women under 18 years old. | With the law so restrictive, many women are forced to seek clandestine, illegal abortions. Over the last decade or so, Colombia has investigated 4,802 people for having or aiding in illegal abortions, according to the country’s attorney general. Nearly 500 of those cases were women under 18 years old. |
| “Our bodies means our decisions,” said Natalia López, a student from Bogotá. “The fight goes on.” | “Our bodies means our decisions,” said Natalia López, a student from Bogotá. “The fight goes on.” |
| Un Violador En Tu Camino – A Rapist In Your Path | Un Violador En Tu Camino – A Rapist In Your Path |
| The anti-rape anthem, En Violador En Tu Camino, A Rapist In Your Path, became a viral phenomenon after it was first debuted by Chilean protestors in November. The anthem has since been performed across the globe, in front of presidential mansions to outside the courthouse where Harvey Weinstein was put on trial. | The anti-rape anthem, En Violador En Tu Camino, A Rapist In Your Path, became a viral phenomenon after it was first debuted by Chilean protestors in November. The anthem has since been performed across the globe, in front of presidential mansions to outside the courthouse where Harvey Weinstein was put on trial. |
| The spread and impact of the anthem was clear on International Women’s Day when women around the world stood in formation and performed the anthem, along with the choreography. Here are some images of women performing En Violador En Tu Camino across the world today. | The spread and impact of the anthem was clear on International Women’s Day when women around the world stood in formation and performed the anthem, along with the choreography. Here are some images of women performing En Violador En Tu Camino across the world today. |
| Police clash with protestors around the world | Police clash with protestors around the world |
| While many of today’s demonstrations have occurred peacefully, riot police in multiple cities have used forced against protestors in multiple cities. | While many of today’s demonstrations have occurred peacefully, riot police in multiple cities have used forced against protestors in multiple cities. |
| In Istanbul, Turkey, police dispersed tear gas into a crowd and pushed protestors away after local officials closed down streets leading to the city’s main square. | In Istanbul, Turkey, police dispersed tear gas into a crowd and pushed protestors away after local officials closed down streets leading to the city’s main square. |
| Police in Kyrgyzstan arrested several protestors after they clashed with a group of men in masks who started attacking demonstrators. Police say they arrested the women because they were causing public disruption. | Police in Kyrgyzstan arrested several protestors after they clashed with a group of men in masks who started attacking demonstrators. Police say they arrested the women because they were causing public disruption. |
| In Santiago, Chile, police had a full-on clash with protestors, using water hoses and tear gas in attempts to disperse crowds. Many women came prepared, wearing gas masks and even sling shots to fight back against the police. | In Santiago, Chile, police had a full-on clash with protestors, using water hoses and tear gas in attempts to disperse crowds. Many women came prepared, wearing gas masks and even sling shots to fight back against the police. |
| Sao Paulo, Brazil | Sao Paulo, Brazil |
| A huge demonstration in Sao Paulo has women protesting for women’s rights and in criticism of Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro for not responding to violence against women. In the beginning of 2019, four women in Brazil were being killed everyday. | A huge demonstration in Sao Paulo has women protesting for women’s rights and in criticism of Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro for not responding to violence against women. In the beginning of 2019, four women in Brazil were being killed everyday. |
| Bogotá, Colombia | Bogotá, Colombia |
| Marches swept Colombia on Sunday morning, with demonstrations taking place in city’s across the Andean nation. | Marches swept Colombia on Sunday morning, with demonstrations taking place in city’s across the Andean nation. |
| In Bogotá, the capital, on a bright Sunday morning, thousands of people gathered at the Centre for Memory and Peace before making their way towards Parque Olaya, in the south of the city, where a market has been set up to raise funds for women’s rights groups. | In Bogotá, the capital, on a bright Sunday morning, thousands of people gathered at the Centre for Memory and Peace before making their way towards Parque Olaya, in the south of the city, where a market has been set up to raise funds for women’s rights groups. |
| “We are here to demand and end to the violence we face every day,” said Carla Pérez, a public relations consultant. “We are here because the streets are ours.” | “We are here to demand and end to the violence we face every day,” said Carla Pérez, a public relations consultant. “We are here because the streets are ours.” |
| People were marching for various causes. Some protested the government’s inability to protect female social leaders - who continue to be murdered at alarming rates. Others called for the relaxation of the country’s restrictive abortion laws. Others took issue with the government’s perceived slow-walking of the historic 2016 peace deal with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a left rebel group. | People were marching for various causes. Some protested the government’s inability to protect female social leaders - who continue to be murdered at alarming rates. Others called for the relaxation of the country’s restrictive abortion laws. Others took issue with the government’s perceived slow-walking of the historic 2016 peace deal with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a left rebel group. |
| Colombia’s conflict, in which 260,000 people were killed and over 7m displaced. Sexual violence was widespread, but amid massacres and mass kidnappings it tended to be ignored or met with impunity. | Colombia’s conflict, in which 260,000 people were killed and over 7m displaced. Sexual violence was widespread, but amid massacres and mass kidnappings it tended to be ignored or met with impunity. |
| “Violence against women is systemic,” said Angela Guerrero, a lawyer from Bogotá. “Today we make ourselves heard.” | “Violence against women is systemic,” said Angela Guerrero, a lawyer from Bogotá. “Today we make ourselves heard.” |
| Meanwhile, Bogotá’s newly elected mayor, Claudia Lopez - the city’s first female mayor - gave a speech at the city’s Parque Nacional across town. “The principal pandemic is brutal violence against women,” she said to cheers. | Meanwhile, Bogotá’s newly elected mayor, Claudia Lopez - the city’s first female mayor - gave a speech at the city’s Parque Nacional across town. “The principal pandemic is brutal violence against women,” she said to cheers. |
| Santiago, Chile | Santiago, Chile |
| There are now clashes between police and protesters. Some girls told me that men are lighting barricades, provoking them. “Que se vaya los machitos” chant the women (get out, little men). Meanwhile women from Chile’s frontline protesters move forward to confront the police. | There are now clashes between police and protesters. Some girls told me that men are lighting barricades, provoking them. “Que se vaya los machitos” chant the women (get out, little men). Meanwhile women from Chile’s frontline protesters move forward to confront the police. |
| ‘A Girl Inspiring the World’ | ‘A Girl Inspiring the World’ |
| In honor of International Women’s Day, British art group Sand In Your Eye made a 60-meter portrait of climate activist Greta Thunberg in Hebden Bridge earlier this week. The group worked with school children, who help the Sand In Your Eye artists with the portrait, which is made with line marker paint. | In honor of International Women’s Day, British art group Sand In Your Eye made a 60-meter portrait of climate activist Greta Thunberg in Hebden Bridge earlier this week. The group worked with school children, who help the Sand In Your Eye artists with the portrait, which is made with line marker paint. |
| Mexico City, Mexico | Mexico City, Mexico |
| From Maya Averbuch, who is in Mexico City: | From Maya Averbuch, who is in Mexico City: |
| In front of Mexico’s National Palace, women gathered in the morning to paint the names of victims of femicide since 2016. The used stencils to print the women’s first names, from a list that included over 3,000. It was the first year they organized this protest action in the capital. | In front of Mexico’s National Palace, women gathered in the morning to paint the names of victims of femicide since 2016. The used stencils to print the women’s first names, from a list that included over 3,000. It was the first year they organized this protest action in the capital. |
| Femicide, which is defined as killings of women because of their gender, has become a subject of debate in Mexico because of the rising number of dead. Last year, over 10 women were killed daily, in comparison with the six daily just three years earlier. | Femicide, which is defined as killings of women because of their gender, has become a subject of debate in Mexico because of the rising number of dead. Last year, over 10 women were killed daily, in comparison with the six daily just three years earlier. |
| “It’s important for there to be a palace where the names of all the dead are visible,” said Aurora Zarzosa, 50, one of the women who was painting. “We cannot pretend they do not exist.” | “It’s important for there to be a palace where the names of all the dead are visible,” said Aurora Zarzosa, 50, one of the women who was painting. “We cannot pretend they do not exist.” |
| In recent months, women have protested not only against the fact that few of the perpetrators are ever convicted, but also that gruesome photos of the dead are printed in local newspapers. In Mexico City, the names – Diana, Rosario, Zoilae – appeared on the ground in all-white letters. | In recent months, women have protested not only against the fact that few of the perpetrators are ever convicted, but also that gruesome photos of the dead are printed in local newspapers. In Mexico City, the names – Diana, Rosario, Zoilae – appeared on the ground in all-white letters. |
| “It’s easy for the people who commit these crimes, because they do not have to pay a price,” said Mariam Bujalil, 52. “I never want to find my name here, or the names of my daughters, or of my granddaughters.” | “It’s easy for the people who commit these crimes, because they do not have to pay a price,” said Mariam Bujalil, 52. “I never want to find my name here, or the names of my daughters, or of my granddaughters.” |
| Later, thousands of people marched through the historic center. In front of a pink monument of the Venus symbol that was erected in honor of victims of femicide, they took the microphone to call out people who had harmed them. Turning the private into the public was, at once, an act of catharsis, and a fierce rebuke. | Later, thousands of people marched through the historic center. In front of a pink monument of the Venus symbol that was erected in honor of victims of femicide, they took the microphone to call out people who had harmed them. Turning the private into the public was, at once, an act of catharsis, and a fierce rebuke. |
| “Last week, Citlali left the house to go to work,” one woman said. “It’s impossible that they forced her into a car fifty meters from her office, and nobody in the hotel heard her screams.” | “Last week, Citlali left the house to go to work,” one woman said. “It’s impossible that they forced her into a car fifty meters from her office, and nobody in the hotel heard her screams.” |
| Much of the outcry this year was focused on physical violence: One woman called out the family member who had raped her as a child, another the man who had stabbed her sister, a third a university professors who told her she could not graduate unless she slept with him. | Much of the outcry this year was focused on physical violence: One woman called out the family member who had raped her as a child, another the man who had stabbed her sister, a third a university professors who told her she could not graduate unless she slept with him. |
| Behind them, women who were walking toward the main plaza chanted slogans, as plumes of purple smoke rose from the crowds. A small portion of marchers graffitied statues and broke the glass covering advertisements on the sidewalk, as lines of police barricaded the entrance to historic sites. | Behind them, women who were walking toward the main plaza chanted slogans, as plumes of purple smoke rose from the crowds. A small portion of marchers graffitied statues and broke the glass covering advertisements on the sidewalk, as lines of police barricaded the entrance to historic sites. |
| In the middle of the tumult, the women with the microphone also criticized those who failed to help them in the aftermath of crimes: the health system, for not covering the costs of psychological treatment; the government, for failing to investigate; and other women, for not believing their stories of abuse. | In the middle of the tumult, the women with the microphone also criticized those who failed to help them in the aftermath of crimes: the health system, for not covering the costs of psychological treatment; the government, for failing to investigate; and other women, for not believing their stories of abuse. |
| “Her daughter cries for her all the time,” said Blanca Alicia Gomez Vargas, holding photos of her niece above her head. “They killed her in Querétaro, which they say is a beautiful city.” | “Her daughter cries for her all the time,” said Blanca Alicia Gomez Vargas, holding photos of her niece above her head. “They killed her in Querétaro, which they say is a beautiful city.” |
| Santiago, Chile | Santiago, Chile |
| Here’s a look at a huge group of women performing anti-rape anthem Un Violador en Tu Camino, A Rapist In Your Path, in Chile, where the viral anthem was created by Las Tesis, a Chilean feminist collective. | Here’s a look at a huge group of women performing anti-rape anthem Un Violador en Tu Camino, A Rapist In Your Path, in Chile, where the viral anthem was created by Las Tesis, a Chilean feminist collective. |
| Buenos Aires, Argentina | Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Argentina is another country that has seen a dramatic rise in femicides recently. In the first two months of 2020, the country had 63 femicides. | Argentina is another country that has seen a dramatic rise in femicides recently. In the first two months of 2020, the country had 63 femicides. |
| Today, protestors held red roses and signs with the names of women who were victims of femicide as they marched to the presidential palace in Buenos Aires. | Today, protestors held red roses and signs with the names of women who were victims of femicide as they marched to the presidential palace in Buenos Aires. |