Rallies, roadshows and protests mark International Women’s Day

International Women's Day (IWD), celebrated annually on March 8, commemorates the cultural, political, and socioeconomic achievements of women. (Express photo by Praveen Khanna)

While Women’s Day traces its history to feminist movements in Europe and America in the early 1900s, the day became mainstream after it was adopted by the United Nations in 1977. In photo: Protesters march during a rally near the Malacanang presidential palace in Manila, Philippines, to mark International Women's Day. (AP)

In India, several events were organised across states to celebrate the day. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday led a march in Lucknow which was named after the party's poll slogan “ladki hoon, lad sakti hoon." (Express photo by Vishal Srivastav)

Carrying pink balloons and flags with "ladki hoon, lad sakti hoon" written on them, thousands of people, including women from across the state, participated in the march. (PTI)

Passing through Mantri Niwas, a high-rise apartment block for families of ministers and MLAs and the Dalibagh area, the march covered about three km and culminated at Veerangana Uda Devi Crossing with Priyanka Gandhi and other Congress leaders garlanding the statue. (Express photo by Vishal Srivastav)

In over the hour-long march, girls showed a lot of enthusiasm and marched along with Priyanka Gandhi while also taking selfies with her. (Express photo by Vishal Srivastav)

In Kerala, over 200 women from various walks of life took part in a two-wheeler rally, organised by KIMSHEALTH in association with Lulu Mall on the International Women's Day highlighting the theme of Organ Donation. (Twitter/@hospital_kims)

In Madhya Pradesh, female police personnel rode their two-wheelers during a rally for the launch of the 'Urja Mahila' help desk for women's safety. The rally was flagged off by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. (PTI)

Members of Seema Bhawani Shaurya Expedition-Empowerment Ride 2022 of BSF during their flag-off ceremony on International Women’s Day, at India Gate. (Express photo by Praveen Khanna)

In the wake of the hijab controversy, Muslim women holding placards take out a rally, in support of women's right to wear 'hijab', on the occasion of International Women's Day, in Thane. (PTI)

The International Women's Day, an important official holiday in Russia and Ukraine dating from the Soviet era, however, was this year overshadowed in Ukraine by war, and in Russia by economic chaos. (Reuters)

Activists from the Women Democratic Front take part in a rally to mark International Women's Day, in Islamabad, Pakistan. (AP)