The National Women’s Council is partnering with ROSA Socialist Feminist Movement to demand action to protect the rights of women, members of the LGBTQ+ community and migrants, among other marginalised populations internationally. The march is set to take place at 5.30pm on Wednesday at The Spire.

The protest will address a variety of issues, including violence against female-identifying people and growing restrictions on abortion rights internationally. One in four women in Ireland who have been in a relationship have been abused by a current or former partner, while one in three women worldwide will experience physical or sexual violence, according to Women’s Aid.

In Ireland, advocates continue to raise fears of the potential influence the Religious Sisters of Charity may have over the new National Maternity Hospital, particularly in restricting services and care that go against catholic beliefs.

In the United States, the abortion pill mifepristone has faced mounting restrictions throughout the country this week, following the 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade, the country’s landmark Supreme Court ruling that established a nearly 50-year federal right to an abortion.

Tomorrow on #IWD23 we're marching with @RosaSocFem

We're demanding:
📣an end to violence against women
🗳️full representation and participation of women in society
💸economic equality
🏨proper access to healthcare
💚 a green future for women

Join us at 5.30pm @ the Spire✊ pic.twitter.com/kzYFB3jz8c

— Womenscouncilireland (@NWCI) March 7, 2023

"Despite huge advances for women over the 50 years since NWC's foundation, there remain key barriers to women's equality,” NWC director Orla O’Connor said in a statement. “We're marching tomorrow to demand an end to violence against women, full representation and participation of women in society, economic equality, proper access to healthcare and a green future for women."

The march will also focus on the fight against the “far right and racist ideas,” including the growing anti-migrant sentiment that has spilled out into protest over the last few months. Recently, migrants in Ireland have been subjected to violence as a result of viral TikTok videos falsely accusing them of heinous crimes.

Along with supporting migrants and women, the day of action will also focus on attacks against the LGBTQ+ community. Those who identify as gay, transgender or non-binary are more likely to experience issues including homelessness and violence, with LGBTQ+ youth also having a greater risk of suicide.

In February, 16-year-old Brianna Ghey, a transgender student, was murdered, causing renewed calls for the protection of transgender rights.

5 reasons you should march with us tomorrow for International Women’s Day - Meet 5.30pm at the spire, march to Dáil Éireann! #iwd23marchon #socialistfeminism pic.twitter.com/nYtk71p43g

— ROSA - Socialist Feminist Movement (@RosaSocFem) March 7, 2023

"This is not natural -- media platforms that allow 'debates' on the rights of trans people to express themselves and governments that push transphobic legislation forward ranging from blocking gender recognition bills, to banning drag shows and trans participation in sport, to denying gender affirming care -- all have blood on their hands," ROSA stated in a message on social media.

The march is also supported by a list of organisations including Action for Choice, Que Sea Ley Dublin, Trans & Intersex Pride Dublin, TCD Students’ Union, UCD Students’ Union and Women’s Collective Ireland.

The International Women’s Day march stands in solidarity with other feminist movements around the globe.

"From the inspirational Woman, Life, Freedom revolt in Iran, to the nascent feminist resistance in China, to the continued Ni Una Menos and abortion rights struggle in Latin America, to the women across the United States who refused to elect anti-choice candidates -- we stand in solidarity with the struggles against misogyny, transphobia, & racism the world over!" ROSA stated on social media.