Facing historic shifts, Latin American women bathe streets in purple on International Women’s Day

By MEGAN JANETSKY and DÉBORA REY
Associated Press

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Women across Latin America are bathing their city streets in purple in commemoration of International Women’s Day at a time when gender rights advocates in the region face both historic steps forward and setbacks. Following decades of activism and campaigning by feminist groups, access to things like abortion has rapidly expanded in recent years, sitting in contrast of mounting restrictions in the United States. Women have increasingly stepped into political roles in the region of 670 million people, with Mexico slated to make history this year by electing its first female president. At the same time, activists in Argentina have been left reeling with the rise of far-right President Javier Milei.