Marches for International Women’s Day denounce war, abuse and oppression

Marches on 115th anniversary of IWD place focus on issues like US-Israeli war on Iran and Donald Trump’s links with sex offender Epstein.Published On 8 Mar 2026Thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets around the world to mark International Women’s Day, taking a stand on a number of issues including the US-Israeli war on Iran and gender-based violence.In Spain, where the government drew the ire of the United States for refusing to allow it to use Spain’s military bases for strikes against Iran, thousands of women took to the streets of major cities to call for an end to the war.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Honouring Gaza’s women who refused to let the world look awaylist 2 of 3Iran women’s football team sing anthem, exit Asian Cup amid safety concernslist 3 of 3FIFA, AFC urged to protect Iran women footballers after ‘traitors’ threatend of list“It is within our power to stop the war, to stop the barbarity, and to win rights,” said Yolanda Diaz, Spain’s second deputy prime minister. “We proclaim ourselves in defence of peace, in defence of the Iranian people, in defence of Iranian women.”On the first day of the joint US-Israeli war on Iran, strikes on a primary school in the city of Minab killed 165 girls, most between the ages of seven and 12, during class hours – the deadliest single attack on civilians so far.A banner mocks US President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin at an International Women’s Day rally in Madrid, Spain on March 8, 2026 [Thomas Coex/AFP]In France, where more than 150 demonstrations were held, 73-year-old rape survivor Gisele Pelicot led a march calling for an end to sexual violence, telling a crowd in Paris, “We won’t give up”.Pelicot became a global symbol in the fight against sexual violence after she waived her right to anonymity during the 2024 trial of her ex-husband and dozens of strangers who raped her while she was unconscious.