Thousands of women marched through downtown San José on Sunday as part of the annual “8M March” marking International Women’s Day.

The demonstration honored women’s achievements, raised awareness about gender inequality and promoted global support for women while calling for an end to all forms of violence against women and girls.

Organized by several feminist groups, the march began at San José’s Central Park, where participants gathered before walking to the Democracy Park, located next to the Congress (Legislative Assembly) building. Similar demonstrations are held worldwide every year on March 8 to highlight women’s rights and ongoing challenges related to equality.

Groups leading the march included "Ni Una Menos" (Not One Less), the Federation of Students of the University of Costa Rica, the Frente Feminista de Costa Rica and the National Women’s Institute of Costa Rica, among others.

 

Many participants wore purple, a color associated with the struggle for equality and justice, while carrying signs and chanting slogans. Messages displayed on placards included: “Justice is a woman,” “Keep your filthy laws off my silky drawers,” and “Being born a girl should not be a sentence.”

Other signs highlighted international solidarity, reading: “There is no feminist struggle without Palestine, Sudan, Congo, Venezuela, Haiti, Uyghur, Kurdish, Ukraine and Lebanon,” among other messages calling for equality and justice for women.


International Women’s Day is observed annually on March 8 to recognize women’s achievements and to raise awareness of ongoing social, economic and political inequalities.

In a statement marking the day, UN Women,  the United Nations organization responsible for programs, policies and standards that support women’s human rights,  warned about persistent discrimination and violence.

“Misogyny is a toxic and pervasive stain on our society,” the organization said. “It continues to shape the lives of women worldwide every single day. The rise in gender-based violence and attacks on reproductive rights shows that we are at a dangerous junction.”

This year, UN Women is commemorating International Women’s Day under the theme “Equal rights. Equal opportunities. Equal power.” The organization emphasized the need for solutions that empower women to address global crises, including geopolitical conflicts, rising poverty, and climate change.

“By investing in women, we can spark change and accelerate the transition to a healthier, safer and more equal world for all,” the organization said.

According to the United Nations, an additional $360 billion annually is needed to achieve gender equality worldwide. Closing gender gaps in employment could increase gross domestic product per capita by 20 percent, while expanding access to decent work could create nearly 300 million jobs globally by 2035, the organization said.

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