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Saturday, 8 March 2008, 19:29 GMT

In pictures: Women's Day

Supporters of Pattan, a non-governmental organisation, chant slogans at a rally in Islamabad.

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Women from around the world have turned out to demand more - and equal - rights on International Women's Day.

Palestinian women at Women's Day rally in Gaza City

Palestinian women at Women's Day rally in Gaza City

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Across Gaza and the West Bank, Palestinian women gathered for small, local rallies like this one in Gaza City.

Women waving Turkish flags at Istanbul rally

Women waving Turkish flags at Istanbul rally

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There were rallies in Turkish towns and cities too. Here women in Istanbul make their presence felt.

Carla Bruni (left) Nicolas Sarkozy and guest at Elysee Palace lunch

Carla Bruni (left) Nicolas Sarkozy and guest at Elysee Palace lunch

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France's President Nicolas Sarkozy was joined by his new wife Carla Bruni as he hosted a lunch for "Exceptional Women" at the Elysee Palace in Paris.

Gordon Brown surrounded by female guests in 10 Downing Street

Gordon Brown surrounded by female guests in 10 Downing Street

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UK PM Gordon Brown also marked the event with a lunch, hosted by him and his wife Sarah. Joining them were 40 of the world's most successful business women.

Woman belly dancing in Jilin province, China

Woman belly dancing in Jilin province, China

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In Jilin province, China, the day was marked with a belly dancing competition.

Masked protesters at rally in Bern, Switzerland

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In Bern, in Switzerland, protesters used the day to highlight the serious issue of the trafficking of women.

A protester with her face painted with the words "Goodbye Gloria" joins hundreds of women in a rally prior to marching towards the presidential palace in Manila, Philippines.

A protester with her face painted with the words "Goodbye Gloria" joins hundreds of women in a rally prior to marching towards the presidential palace in Manila, Philippines.

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In the Philippines capital, political undertones surfaced as demonstrators urged the president to go.

Ma Ying-jeou, presidential candidate of Taiwan's opposition Nationalist Party, receives a coconut from Chen Tao, a former comfort woman who was allegedly forced into prostitution and sexual slavery by

Ma Ying-jeou, presidential candidate of Taiwan's opposition Nationalist Party, receives a coconut from Chen Tao, a former comfort woman who was allegedly forced into prostitution and sexual slavery by

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In Taiwan, Chen Tao, who was allegedly forced into prostitution by the Japanese military during World War II joined an opposition rally.

Girls dressed in traditional Afghan clothing attend a ceremony, in Kandahar province.

Girls dressed in traditional Afghan clothing attend a ceremony, in Kandahar province.

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These Afghan girls marked the day in the restive province of Kandahar.

Kurdish women gather in Sulaimaniya, Iraq

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In the Kurdish north of Iraq there were colourful scenes as women turned out to demand more respect.

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