International Women’s Day 2024 around the world – in pictures

A roundup of rallies to celebrate women’s social, cultural and political achievements and protests against gender-based violence and inequality

Main image: Swimmers take part in a sunrise dip in the North Sea at Portobello beach near Edinburgh to mark International Women’s Day Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty

  • Pristina, Kosovo

    A police officer stands amid the smoke from a flare during a rally for gender equality and against violence towards women
    A police officer stands amid red smoke from a flare in a doorway

  • Islamabad, Pakistan

    Activists from the socialist-feminist organisation Women Democratic Front scuffle with female police officers during a rally. The day was officially recognised by the UN in 1977
    Activists from the socialist-feminist organisation Women Democratic Front scuffle with female police officers during a rally

  • Baku, Azerbaijan

    Activists hold a rally in support of women’s rights
    Activists hold flares issuing purple and red smoke

  • Milan, Italy

    Students and activists wearing purple pañuelos (a symbol of the abortion-rights movements created in Argentina in 2003) congregate in Piazza del Duomo for a rally against patriarchy and violence
    Milan, ItalyStudents and feminist activists wearing purple pañuelos congregate in Piazza del Duomo for a rally against patriarchy and violence

  • St Petersburg, Russia

    An honour guard hands a flower to a girl on International Women’s Day, an official holiday in Russia. Traditionally, men give flowers and gifts to female relatives and friends, even though flowers have become more expensive in the past two years
    A honour guard kneels as he gives a flower to a girl on International Women’s Day

  • Kyiv, Ukraine

    Activists of different feminist and LGBTQ+ groups protest against sexism, patriarchy and the infringement of women’s rights in front of the department of education and science
    Kyiv, UkraineActivists of different feminist and LGBTQ+ groups protest against sexism, patriarchy and the infringement of women’s rights in front of the department of education and science

  • London, UK

    Protesters dressed as handmaids from The Handmaid’s Tale hold placards and flowers before a march from Parliament Square to the Iranian embassy to highlight the repression of women in Iran
    London, UKProtesters dressed as handmaids from The Handmaid’s Tale hold placards and flowers before a march from Parliament Square to the Iranian embassy to highlight the repression of women in Iran

  • Rome, Italy

    Women march together on International Women’s Day in the Italian capital
    Women march together holding placards

  • Berlin, Germany

    People take part in a demonstration for better living and working conditions for women
    People take part in a demonstration for better living and working conditions for women

  • Barcelona, Spain

    Students march for equality at a demonstration in the city
    Students wearing white and purple hold signs on a demo

  • Baghdad, Iraq

    Women chant slogans at a gathering on Al-Mutanabbi street in the city’s historic centre
    Women chant slogans at a gathering on Al-Mutanabbi street in the city’s historic centre

  • Paris, France

    President Emmanuel Macron speaks at a ceremony to make abortion a constitutional right on International Women’s Day at Place Vendôme
    President Emmanuel Macron speaks at a ceremony to make abortion a constitutional right on International Women’s Day at Place Vendôme

  • Tokyo, Japan

    Campaigners hold banners during a march to protest against gender discrimination
    Campaigners hold banners during a march in the city

  • Jakarta, Indonesia

    People carrying placards take part in a rally in support of women’s rights, calling for gender equality and the impeachment of Indonesia’s president, Joko Widodo
    Jakarta, IndonesiaPeople carrying placards take part in a rally in support of women’s rights, calling for gender equality and the impeachment of Indonesia’s president, Joko Widodo

  • Karachi, Pakistan

    Jamaat-e-Islami party activists demonstrate to mark International Women’s Day
    Karachi, PakistanJamaat-e-Islami party activists demonstrate to mark International Women’s Day

  • New Delhi, India

    Northern Railway declared the Delhi Safdarjung station a ‘pink station’, with a team of all-women staff to celebrate International Women’s Day
    two female Northern Railway staff in an office

  • Dhaka, Bangladesh

    Activists and garment workers shout slogans as they take part in a protest marking International Women’s Day in front of the National Press Club
    Activists and garment workers shout slogans and hold placards

  • Edinburgh, UK

    Swimmers take a dip in the Firth of Forth at Portobello beach on International Women’s Day
    Swimmers in brightly coloured costumes and hats hold hands on a beach

  • Amsterdam, Netherland

    Forty-four pairs of red heels on Dam Square draw attention to murdered women who were the victims of domestic violence or revenge killings
    A pair of red strappy heels on Dam Square

  • Lahore, Pakistan

    Female supporters of the religious Jamaat-e-Islami party take part in a rally to mark International Women’s Day
    Female supporters of the religious Jamaat-e-Islami party take part in a rally to mark International Women’s Day

  • Seoul, South Korea

    Members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions march at a rally marking International Women’s Day
    Seoul, South KoreaMembers of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions march at a rally marking International Women’s Day

  • Bangkok, Thailand

    Women dressed in pregnancy costumes march to Government House to highlight the meagre maternity leave for women in Thailand, set at eight days. Women’s groups are calling on the government to extend maternity leave to 120 days
    Women dressed in purple pregnancy costumes march on a street

  • Melbourne, Australia

    A protester marches during an International Women’s Day rally
    Melbourne, AustraliaA protester marches during an International Women’s Day rally

  • Johannesburg, South Africa

    Protesters hold placards during a demonstration organised by the South African Jewish Board of Deputies in support of female hostages taken by Hamas militants
    Protesters hold placards during a demonstration organised by the South African Jewish Board of Deputies in support of female hostages taken by Hamas militants

  • London, UK

    Activists from humanitarian organisations take part in a demonstration on Millennium Bridge to demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza
    Activists holding flowers and dressed in black on Millennium Bridge in London

  • Mexico City, Mexico

    Activists and relatives of victims of femicide illuminate the Zócalo esplanade with candles
    Mexico City, MexicoActivists and relatives of victims of femicide illuminate the Zócalo esplanade with candles
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