<span style="color: #222222;">Campaigners for gender equality across the world marked International Women's Day today with celebrations and protests.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">In Spanish capital Madrid, several hundred women gathered to bang pots and pans and demand more rights for women. Women also participated in a bike protest against gender violence and patriarchy.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">In Paris, demonstrators gathered outside Saudi Arabia's embassy to wave placards that read 'Honk for women's rights', calling for the release of jailed women activists, including those who campaigned for the right to drive in the kingdom.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">In Portugal, the Cabinet observed a minute of silence for victims of domestic violence.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">In Russia, International Women's Day is a public holiday. President Vladimir Putin, in a speech, thanked women for their patience, good grace and support.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">In Indonesian capital Jakarta, several hundred men and women carried placards calling for an end to discriminative practices, such as the termination of employment for pregnancy and exploitative work contracts.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The day, sponsored by the United Nations since 1975, celebrates women's achievements and aims to further their rights.</span><br />''