Voices from the International Women's Day (IWD) March, 2025
Women and men, young and old, immigrants and native Scots, marched down the cobbled streets, on the 8th of March, to demand a better world for women in 2025.
Surge asked the streams of people what they want to see change in Edinburgh and beyond.
Laura, 25: “More convictions for sexual assault; the rates are too low.”Ava, 28: “Less toxic masculinity and more equality!”Ann, 70: “Equal pay and equal rights. That’s always been a big issue. Specifically for women working in the care sector in Edinburgh. I would say men, but I don’t want to generalise!”Estelle, 30: “Violence against women”Mint, 23: “I wish that women wouldn’t get killed anymore; that would be a good start.”Dylan, 27: Open access to abortion. “If men could get pregnant, there would be abortion centres on every corner.”Pablo, 32: More women in STEM. “I work in software development, and there are a lot more men than women. There aren’t enough women in higher positions.”Mia, 25: “Men need to do more on their part to hold other men accountable. Microaggressions and sexist jokes need to stop, as they contribute to the systemic issue of misogyny and what is now a national emergency of violence against women and girls.”Lara, 34: “Violence against women. The influence of figures like Andrew Tate is very scary.”Esther, 16: “Publicity! Making sure that it’s known that women are still facing problems. The fact that there is still a gender pay gap in this country and making sure that it doesn’t go ignored.”Ellie, 25: Protesters outside abortion clinics. “It’s great that buffer zones have been brought in, but it’s something where there still needs to be work done.”Dee. 38: “Bodily autonomy. As someone who grew up in America, I see how women’s rights and autonomy are being stripped away day by day.”Photos by Gill Thatcher and Eline Foulger
Gathering at the City Chambers, the diverse crowd marched down the Royal Mile, placards raised high. Their voices rippled outwards across the city and were echoed by groups across the world.
problems. The fact that there is still a gender pay gap in this country and making sure that it doesn’t go ignored.”
Power may reside in the Scottish Parliament, but the real power was flowing through the crowd marching outside, with everyone united together in one simple wish – change.
Photo by Gill Thatcher
Photo by Eline Foulger
Photo by Eline Foulger
Photo by Eline Foulger
Photo by Eline Foulger
Photo by Eline Foulger
Photo by Eline Foulger
Photo by Eline Foulger
Photo by Eline Foulger
Photo by Eline Foulger
Photo by Eline Foulger
Photo by Eline Foulger
Photo by Gill Thatcher
Photo by Eline Foulger
Photo by Gill Thatcher
Photo by Gill Thatcher
Photo by Gill Thatcher
Photo by Gill Thatcher
Photo by Gill Thatcher
Photo by Gill Thatcher
Photo by Eline Foulger
Photo by Gill Thatcher
Photo by Gill Thatcher
Photo by Gill Thatcher
IWD March on the Royal Mile: Photo by Gill Thatcher
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