International Women's Day marked by demonstration in Belém calling for an end to violence
Demonstrators in Belém gathered on International Women's Day to protest against femicide and demand social justice.
On International Women's Day, March 8, dozens of people gathered in Belém, Brazil, to participate in the March of Women, advocating for an end to femicide and other social issues. The march, which highlighted the significance of the day as one of struggle rather than celebration, was marked by powerful speeches and the display of banners calling for an end to violence against women. One participant emphasized that the day should not be about receiving flowers but rather a call to resist misogyny.
The protesters marched from the Escadinha das Docas to Praça da República, underlining the alarming rise in femicides in Brazil, which reached a record high in 2025. The event served as a reminder of the ongoing battle for women's rights in a country where violence against women is rampant. In addition to the focus on femicide, the demonstrators also expressed solidarity with global issues, including the call for peace in the Middle East.
This annual event, which occurs in various Brazilian cities, had the theme "Living Women Against Femicide, Imperialism, and Transphobia" this year, indicating a broader intersectional approach to women's rights that acknowledges various forms of oppression. The gathering was a reaffirmation of the need for continued activism and advocacy for women's safety and fundamental rights in Brazil and beyond.