Thousands of people joined an International Women’s Day march in central Istanbul on Monday (March 8) to denounce violence against women.

Amid a strong police presence, protesters carried signs, clapped and waved flags demanding greater freedoms for women.

This footage was filmed and produced 8 March 2021.

Since March 2003, Turkish women rights activists have established a tradition of holding a Feminist Night March every March 8 in Istanbul to mark international women's day.

The action's called "Feminist Night Walk" and is dedicated to the fight for women's rights.

For several year the police have been interfering with the action, which is why all roads leading to the traditional place of the action, Taksim Square, are blocked by the police.

For this reason, this year the women gathered on Sireselwiler Street to start their action, after which they continued their march through the city.
Towards nightfall, a column of protesters met with a police fence, where the following dialogue took place:

[4:30-5:48]
– You cannot walk further.
– I'm not allowed to walk to Taksim? Is Taksim today banned to women? This is unconstitutional. Taksim Square is the event space. Does currently the Republic of Turkey not allow even one woman to come to the Square? We will celebrate March 8 in the Taksim Square. Only women can decide where the 8 March area is.