In pictures: Women across the world make their voices heard on Int'l Women's Day

Rallies and marches held to demand equal rights for women and an end to gender-based violence.

Dawn.com Published March 8, 2021

Thousands of women from Yangon to New Delhi marched on Monday in defiance of power-grabbing generals and patriarchal governments, as rallies across Asia kicked off a global day of action for International Women's Day.

In Pakistan, rallies were held in all major cities where women and allies marched, danced and chanted slogans to demand equal rights for women and an end to gender-based violence.

Crowds of women in brightly coloured saris thronged the outskirts of India's capital, where they joined forces with a months-long protest against agricultural reforms that has rocked the country.

Many were not in masks and did not observe social distancing, despite India having one of Asia's highest coronavirus infection and death rates.

Participants of the Aurat March carry placards during a rally to mark International Women's Day in Lahore on March 8. — AFP

Participants of the Aurat March carry placards as they march during a rally to mark International Women's Day in Lahore on March 8. — AFP

Women farmers attend a protest against farm laws on the occasion of International Women's Day at Bahadurgar near Haryana-Delhi border, India, March 8. — Reuters

Participants react as they pull a rope during a sports event in connection with the International Women's Day celebrations in Peshawar, March 8. — Reuters

Women take part in a demonstration to celebrate International Women's Day in Athens, on March 8. — AFP

An art display is seen during an Aurat March rally in Lahore on Monday. — Imran Gabol

Traffic police constables Sumaiya and Razia who were deployed as patrolling motorcycle riders pose for a photo. — Photo courtesy Traffic Police Department

Participants of the Aurat March dance during a rally to mark the International Women's Day in Islamabad on March 8. — AFP

Street vendor Lubna Raheem (R) prepares snacks for customers at her roadside stall on International Women's Day in Karachi on March 8. — AFP

Women hang a collection of longyi, traditional clothing widely worn in Myanmar, across a road during a demonstration against the military coup in Yangon on March 8. — AFP

Women participants take part in a race during a sports event in connection with the International Women's Day celebrations in Peshawar. — Reuters

Women march during a rally to mark International Women's Day in Quetta on March 8. — AFP

Activists of the CNE workers union participate in a haka for women on the International Women's Day at Brussels' Central Station on March 8. — AFP

Students play football in a field in Peshawar on March 8 on the International Women's day. — AFP

Tourists take selfies on the occasion of International Women's Day outside the entrance of the India-Pakistan Wagah Border post, about 35km from Amritsar on March 8. — AFP

Members of a civil society group dance at a rally to mark International Women's Day, in Hyderabad, Monday. — AP

Header image: Participants of the Aurat March carry placards during a rally to mark International Women's Day in Islamabad on Monday. — AFP

Comments (20) Closed

M. Saeed

Mar 08, 2021 10:46pm

It is strange that non of the women processions could find a placard maker or printer of posters, for writing some readable slogans.

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Brownman

Mar 08, 2021 10:51pm

Pakistan's true (figures without fudging numbers) integration of women in professional workforce is barely 5% to 10%. Visit the office of any company, and you will be lucky to find more than 15% women working there (other than garments business). Empowerment begins with having cash to do your own stuff.

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Ignorant

Mar 08, 2021 11:05pm

Well done. Stand tall and march strong. You are our best hope to turn this country and planet around.

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M. Emad

Mar 08, 2021 11:05pm

Over 70% Pakistani working women experience Sexual harassment at workplace. Also, alarming number of Domestic Violence, Honour Killings, Street harassment, Online harassment.

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Awaz....

Mar 08, 2021 11:36pm

Honor, Love, Respect Woman... Empowering Women – Empowering Humanity... Break the silence, on men’s violence... Behind every successful man is a woman... Women are always beautiful.... Women are the real architects of society... Women are wiser than men because they know less and understand more... Woman is the companion of man, gifted with equal mental capacity.... Feminism isn’t about making women strong. Women are already strong. It’s about changing the way the world perceives that strength.

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AHAQ

Mar 09, 2021 12:00am

Nice pictures to see women in sports and law enforcement.

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Mar 09, 2021 12:26am

Well done, keep it up and hang on tough.

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Mar 09, 2021 12:49am

Happy International Women’s Day.

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Waheed UK

Mar 09, 2021 12:56am

Do these marchers really know what they are demanding or they really a stooge in the operation and agenda of foreign NGO’s and local ones supported by foreign countries. Simply put be a good Muslim and bring your children up to respect women and their inherent rights in accordance with Islam. These so called “women rights” have not liberated the women in the West but have merely become sex objects and their true dignity and respect eroded.

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B.Khan

Mar 09, 2021 02:08am

We live in a closed society, which may take perhaps generations to accept any change. Some elements fail to realize this and project / push women rights as an anti masculine propaganda which in a manner is sans productive. Probably similar or more efforts should be placed on female literacy and vocational training. Something productive and with far- reaching implications.

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Mumtaz Ahmed Shah

Mar 09, 2021 07:09am

What excellent photographs published in Dawn on International women Day.(USA)

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Tumgan Dulogho

Mar 09, 2021 08:07am

Pakistan ranks 151 out of 153 countries for gender gap, Pakistan ranks 140 of 162 for human freedom and recently became the 5th worst passport to hold! Look it up.

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Dr. AsHamed.

Mar 09, 2021 08:11am

Women marched men provided security.

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Shahbaz Ahmed Tarar

Mar 09, 2021 10:40am

I am sure their slogans and demands will change with every passing year..

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Mar 09, 2021 11:32am

@B.Khan, Did you actually hear the speeches made? There was nothing anti-man in them. Many orators claimed that men are also victims of patriarchal norms that deprive them of their humanity.

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Mar 09, 2021 11:33am

@Dr. AsHamed., Did you not see the ladies police and even female staff of the Counter Terrorism Department providing security to the marchers?

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its me

Mar 09, 2021 12:19pm

@Dr. AsHamed., you just nailed it bro!!

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its me

Mar 09, 2021 12:21pm

@Shahbaz Ahmed Tarar, and you might have seen a video of a pakistani actress supporting homose*uality!!

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INDEPENDENT

Mar 09, 2021 12:35pm

"Maera jism maeree marzee" is not freedom. It is out of ethics, not according in Islami. This slogan must end. Giving respect to the women is must but not at the expense of vulgarity. Pakistani women are free to join civil service, can attain higher education and are free to lead lives as per own their free will. Islam provides respect and protection to the women.

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INDEPENDENT

Mar 09, 2021 12:36pm

Pakistani women are beautiful.

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