International Women's Day is Marked With Various Activities

RRI.CO.ID: Jakarta : International Women's Day is celebrated on March 8th annually in The World. Many activities was held in out door like demonstration and indoor like public discussion.

Women's rights demonstrators marched across the globe, from Rio in Brazil to cities in France, Spain, and other European countries, demanding action on various issues. In Paris, rape survivor Gisele Pelicot led a march, one of 150 demonstrations held in France, calling for women's rights, economic equality, and an end to sexual violence.

As quoted by AFP, in Spain, thousands protested in cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia, denouncing violence against women and the war in the Middle East. Placards read "No to war" and "Anti-fascist feminists against imperialist war". Demonstrators cited pay gaps, harassment, and gender-based violence as pressing concerns.

Pelicot, 73, became a symbol in the fight against sexual violence after waiving her anonymity in a 2024 trial. She received the Order of Civil Merit from Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Madrid last week. "We won't give up," she told the crowd in Paris.

In Madrid, protesters marched for transgender rights and prostitution regulation. Spanish politicians like Yolanda Diaz spoke out against the Middle East war, saying "It is within our power to stop the war, to stop the barbarity, and to win rights".

Sanchez has faced US ire for refusing Spain's military base use for Iran strikes. Meanwhile, in Latin America, women marched in Brazil, Chile, and Mexico, with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum saying "When one woman advances, we all advance".

Protests highlighted global solidarity, with demands for justice, peace, and women's rights resonating across continents.

Meanwhile, International Women's Day in Indonesia is celebrated in indoor activities. The theme for 2026 is "Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls", focusing on enforcing rights, access to justice, and concrete actions to protect women and girls.

Some commemoration activities in Indonesia include:

- Art and Culture Exhibition: The Yogyakarta Palace hosts "Smarabawana" to highlight inclusive urban planning.

- Public Discussion: Organizations like Rifka Annisa Women’s Crisis Centre hold discussions and advocacy for violence survivors.

- Empowerment Seminar: Smesco Startup Hub in Jakarta hosts seminars on mental health and professional careers for young women.

- Community Activities: Women’s movements are supported through environmental preservation and economic empowerment actions.

The commemoration aims to raise awareness about gender discrimination and promote inclusive policy changes