Feminist rallies across Catalonia for International Women's Day

Tens of thousands took to the streets of Catalonia on Sunday to demand gender equality.

In Barcelona, the International Women's Day parade this March 8 began at Plaça de la Universitat and finished up in Arc de Triomf where a manifesto was read regretting the lack of "necessary changes at the social and political level, and demanding "all freedoms and all rights for all."

The rally in the capital saw 50,000 march under the banner "together and diverse for a decent life." Protesters called for "self-organization and feminist revolts against precariousness and borders."

Across Catalonia, rallies took place at Plaça Imperial Tàrraco in Tarragona, with 6,000 attendees, Plaça Ricard Vinyes in Lleida, with 2,500 people, and Plaça 1 d'Octubre in Girona, which saw 5,000 people take to the streets.

While Catalonia has made advances in terms of gender equality in recent years, challenges remain.