International Women’s Day 2026: Activists Fight for Abortion Rights Amid Global Setbacks
As International Women’s Day approaches on March 8th, a concerning trend of eroding gender equality and restricted access to abortion is unfolding worldwide. Despite these challenges, activists are demonstrating resilience and determination in defending reproductive rights, building networks, and advocating for change. This year’s observances highlight both the progress made and the urgent demand for continued advocacy.
Global Pushback on Reproductive Rights
Across the globe, governments and anti-rights movements are enacting policies that roll back decades of progress on gender equality, particularly concerning access to abortion. Amnesty International has documented these setbacks, emphasizing the critical need for continued activism.
Voices from the Front Lines
Ahead of International Women’s Day, Amnesty International spoke with five courageous activists from Tunisia, Mexico, Burkina Faso, Poland, and the United States. These women shared their strategies, hopes, and unwavering commitment to protecting abortion access.
Selma Hajri: Pioneering Reproductive Rights in Tunisia
Selma Hajri, a 71-year-old Tunisian doctor and feminist, founded the TAWHIDA Ben Cheikh Group fifteen years ago, an association dedicated to sexual and reproductive rights. As an endocrinologist specializing in reproductive health and the current General Secretary of the association, Hajri has been instrumental in establishing a regional network for abortion rights and access in the southern Mediterranean region. This network aims to exchange experiences with activists in the northern Mediterranean region.
Tunisia has been a pioneer in reproductive rights, legalizing first-trimester abortions freely available to all since the 1960s and establishing a legal framework and public institution to provide these services in 1973. However, Hajri notes that despite favorable laws, access is increasingly difficult, particularly outside the capital city of Tunis, due to the deterioration of public services and economic crises.
Hajri’s current work focuses on training service providers, midwives, and doctors to improve the quality of care, especially for young and marginalized women. She emphasizes the importance of open dialogue about abortion and sexuality, recognizing the taboo surrounding these topics even among feminists in Tunisia. She also highlights the challenges of securing funding due to a conservative government that resists international influence.
“We must talk about abortion, we must talk about sexuality, because it is an essential part of women’s lives,” Hajri states.
Mobilization in Mexico
In Mexico, hundreds of thousands of women are expected to participate in International Women’s Day marches on March 8th, demanding gender equality and an end to violence against women. The 8M march in Mexico City will begin at multiple points, converging toward the Zócalo. Last year’s march saw over 180,000 participants, doubling the numbers from 2023.
Key issues driving the protests include access to safe and legal abortions nationwide, the eradication of gender violence, justice for victims of femicide, and a call for Mexico to take a stand against the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
A Global Wave of Purple
Across Latin America, women are commemorating International Women’s Day by filling streets with purple, a symbol of the feminist movement. Demonstrations are focusing on reproductive rights and protesting against gender-based violence.
Looking Ahead
International Women’s Day 2026 serves as a crucial reminder of the ongoing struggle for gender equality and reproductive rights. The voices of activists like Selma Hajri and the collective action of women in Mexico and across Latin America demonstrate the power of resilience and determination in the face of adversity. Continued advocacy, networking, and open dialogue are essential to ensure that progress is not reversed and that all women have access to the rights and services they deserve.
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