Thousands take to the streets in Catalonia in support of women's rights

Friday evening saw tens of thousands of protesters take to the streets in towns and cities all over Catalonia to demand an improvement in women's rights and gender equality after a day-long general strike coinciding with International Women's Day.

The largest demonstration took place in Barcelona, with a march that began in Espanya square at 6.30pm and passed through the center of the city, along the Gran Via avenue, to Catalunya square, where a manifesto was read out.

According to the local police, 200,000 people protested in the Catalan capital, matching the figures of last year.

Under the slogan 'We stop to change everything. Not a step backwards,' the demonstration was organized by Vaga Feminista, with the support of 150 feminist groups and 550 representatives from civil society and unions.

Women's Day began with protesters blocking major roads in cities, and with various demonstrations around the country. Some 13,000 people -many of them students- marched through the Catalan capital, according to figures from the local Barcelona police.