For 112 years, International Women’s Day has marked a time to celebrate the achievement of women and raise awareness about gender inequality. On March 8th, this year’s campaign of #EmbraceEquity will shine a spotlight on women’s contribution to various fields, while highlighting the challenges they face in other industries. Eliminating the barriers to women’s access to economic, political, and social resources is fundamental to creating and maintaining a stable democratic society. Often at the core of repressive regimes is a systematic effort to exercise control over the lives of women. Similarly, an erosion of the rights of women in “stable” democracies is often a harbinger of a broader attack on the rights of citizens. 

China has called for a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia and a gradual de-escalation of the situation that will pave the way for peace talks, as part of a 12-point proposal to end the conflict.

Mexico’s president lashed out Monday against demonstrators opposed to his plan to cut election funding, belittling their concerns about threats to democracy and dashing any hopes that he would try to ease rising political tensions.

At the root of the conflict are plans by President López Obrador, which were approved last week by Mexico’s Senate, to cut salaries and funding for local election offices, and scale back training for citizens who operate and oversee polling stations.

Provisional results from Nigeria's disputed presidential election showed Bola Tinubu from the ruling party closing in on victory, a Reuters tally of votes in 33 of the country's 36 states and the federal capital Abuja showed.

Protests rocked Iran again overnight Thursday after seeming to have dwindled in recent weeks, with marchers calling for the overthrow of the Islamic Republic, online video posts purportedly showed on Friday. The protests that have swept across Iran began last September after the death in custody of 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian woman Mahsa Amini for flouting the hijab policy, which requires women to entirely cover their hair and bodies.

The Guardian has spoken to 11 protesters, women and men, who claim that they were subjected to rape, sexual violence, beatings and torture while being detained by security forces. Some say they were assaulted in a police van or on the streets; others while in custody in police stations or prisons.

The United Nations General Assembly has again condemned Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, calling for Moscow’s immediate withdrawal and an end to the fighting.

A year since President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion, which he has called a “special military operation,” 141 countries backed the resolution calling for a “comprehensive, just and lasting peace” in Ukraine. Thirty-two countries abstained from voting, while seven countries, including Russia, voted against.

Mexican lawmakers have approved a reform of the body which oversees elections, a move which critics say will weaken and undermine it. The move will slash the National Electoral Institute’s (INE) budget, reduce its staffing, and lead to the closure of many of its local offices.

Female journalists in Iran have been targeted by security forces since anti-government protests began in September, activist groups say.