Millions of Latin American women march for equality on Women's Day

Millions of Latin American women marched to commemorate the International Women's Day on Wednesday, demanding equality and an end to violence against women.

In Chile, where a woman will assume the country's presidency for the first time on Sunday, 2,000 people took part in an official event to applaud president-elect Michelle Bachelet.

Speaking briefly to the press on Wednesday, Bachelet promised to increase female access to positions of power.

In Argentina, women commemorated the day with events honoring female social activists.

In Venezuela, thousands of women marched to the seat of government, chanting against the invasion of Iraq and calling for the closure of the United States military base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Cuban women made the same demands during their march through the capital city, Havana, to the Jose Marti Anti-Imperialist Grandstand. The march was led by Cuba's Women's Federation, an organization with 4 million members, open to women over 14.

In Paraguay, women's and indigenous people's groups demanded equality in a march through the capital Asuncion.

In Uruguay, 100 members of the Women's and Health Organization called for the legalization of abortion during an official Women's Day event lead by president Tabare Vazquez.

In Mexico, where levels of discrimination and violence against women are alarming, President Vicente Fox commemorated the Day with a speech on the progress of women in politics.

In Guatemala, thousands of women demonstrated across the country demanding more opportunities and rights and an end to violence against women.