The atmosphere at Place de la Gare was convivial with groups of women and men as well families gathering to take part in the march to highlight the issues faced by women in Luxembourg. The demonstration was facing the possibility of having to be held in a designated zone between Glacis and Kirchberg due to a ban on protests in the capital’s centre following violence at antivaccine protests in December. That ban was lifted on 22 February much to the relief of the organisers of the march JIF (Journée Internationale des Femmes) and protesters alike.

“My father helped me out, he told me that the women’s strike is at the train station and kept me informed about where it is and at what time,” said Kay, a Luxembourg high school student who was attending for the first time.

The protesters showed solidarity and support for those suffering from the war in Ukraine. Romain Gamba / Maison Moderne

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Protesters gathered in front of the Luxembourg City train station before heading to place d’Armes. Romain Gamba / Maison Moderne

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Kay and Marie, two Luxembourger high school students attended the women’s march for the first time. Photo: Romain Gamba

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Mariusz, originally from Poland and living in Belgium came to their first Luxembourg women's strike after attending the one in Brussels in previous years. Romain Gamba / Maison Moderne

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Supprters from Amnesty International Luxembourg were present in support of women's rights. Romain Gamba / Maison Moderne

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The atmosphere at Place de la Gare was positive with music and chants putting the demonstrators in a good mood. Romain Gamba / Maison Moderne

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People of all ages attended with home-made signs. Romain Gamba / Maison Moderne

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The JIF had also organised a workshop to help people create their signs. Romain Gamba / Maison Moderne

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On Avenue de la Liberté. the demonstrators lit up flares in the colours associated with the women's march. Romain Gamba / Maison Moderne

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Many of the participants spoke about how gender roles and differet rules applying to different genders become apparent at an early age.

“We have a dress code just for the girls and boys don’t have a dress code. They didn’t say it’s just for the girls but it’s implicit,” said Marie also a Luxembourg student in high school.

Luxembourg’s third women’s march was also attended by a good number of men like Fränz, who came to the demonstration with his daughter and his brother.

“There are many reasons [to join the demonstration] but obviously one is my daughter, I want her to live in an equal world. But then again, I think it’s important that there are men who come to these places as well because equality goes both ways, especially when we’re talking about toxic masculinity and discrimination,” he said.

“When I see the girls and the boys as well, how they are already living in these gender roles and live by these rules… and how girls are trained to not always say their opinion, that’s a big subject,” added Fränz, who works at a maison de relais and has attended the women’s march regularly over the last few years.

The women’s strike aimed to raise awareness of issues including feminicide, obstetretic violence, the gender pay gap and violence against members of the LGBTQ+ community.

“I would like to walk with the pink and queer block,” said Mariusz, originally from Poland and living in Belgium near Luxembourg’s border. “I think transphobia is everywhere and misogyny is everywhere, we need to reclaim our rights and make some noise and be seen,” they added.