March 8 in Mexico City

Mexico City isn´t just a huge metropolis; it's a place full of contrasts, where pre-hispanic heritage still resonates in every corner. It's a city where you will encounter people from all over the world and experience an unimaginable variety of gastronomy and cultural expressions. But beyond its rich history and diversity, one of the most remarkable aspects of Mexico City is the solidarity of its people.

This solidarity becomes especially evident when there is a shared purpose, one as important as demanding justice, security, and equality for women.

On March 8, Mexico City transforms itself, with thousands of people wearing purple in solidarity with the feminist movement. Streets, buildings, and sites light up in this color to commemorate International Women’s Day (IWD), a day synonymous with sorority and resistance.

International Women’s Day is celebrated globally to bring attention onto gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence against women.

According to the BBC:

• IWD originated from the labor movement.
• In 1908, 15,000 women marched in New York City demanding shorter working hours, better pay, and the right to vote.
• The first International Women’s Day was celebrated in 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland.
• The March 8 date was established after a women-led strike in Russia in 1917, demanding "bread and peace."
• The United Nations officially recognized IWD in 1975.

Although feminist movements in Mexico date back to the 19th century, several key moments opened the door for today's activism:

• 1916: The Feminist Congress in Mérida, Yucatán, where over 600 female teachers demanded better educational and political rights.
• 1971: The Mujeres en Acción Solidaria (Women in Solidarity Action) movement fought for greater civil, labor, and educational rights.
• 1975: The Movimiento de Liberación de la Mujer (Women's Liberation Movement) prepared the ground for modern feminist movements in Mexico.

Each year Mexico City becomes one of the most important places for the march, one of the most significant feminist marches took place on March 8, 2020, when over 80,000 women marched from the Monumento a la Revolución to the Zócalo.

Today, thousands of women continue to march in the streets, raising their voices for those who are no longer here. They demand a future where women can live free from violence and discrimination, where young girls grow up in a safer country, and where the struggles of the past lead to real change.

In a country where women have historically been oppressed - and where many still face discrimination, particularly in rural areas - March 8 is a day when women stand together, unafraid, supporting one another. They march as mothers, daughters, professionals, artisans, students, and workers, united by a common goal: to fight for basic rights like safety and justice.

At Bikes and Munchies, we strongly support women's rights and stand for sisterhood and inclusion in different ways.

On March 8, we pause operations to allow the women in our team to participate in the march and to show our respect for the movement.

A day for reflection and solidarity

March 8 is more than just a commemoration, it’s a day that highlights the challenges women face worldwide.

In Mexico, it’s not just a celebration but a fight for survival, a collective demand for justice, and a call for change. The hope is that this March becomes more than just a headline, that it sets a precedent for future generations, and that one day, women won't have to march for basic rights, but instead, celebrate real progress toward equality.