Women took to the streets of cities across Europe, Africa, South America and elsewhere to mark International Women’s Day with demands for ending inequality and gender-based violence. On the Asian side of Istanbul,

Hundreds gathered in San Francisco's Union Square to celebrate and protest on International Women's Day. "It really was that family pain and tragedy that really put each leader in its place."

About 300 demonstrations were scheduled across the United States. Organizers said that Americans eager to protest considered the occasion an appropriate time to rally.