Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in central Athens on Sunday to mark International Women’s Day, marching from Stadiou Street toward Syntagma Square.

The rally, marked by chants, banners and speeches from activist groups and labor organizations, focused on workplace safety, gender equality and justice for victims of gender-based violence.

As the march passed the Labor Ministry, unidentified individuals threw paint at the building’s facade and at the entrance of a nearby bank. No further details were immediately reported.

Trikala factory deaths dominate speeches

A central theme of the rally was the recent death of five women workers at the Violanta biscuit factory in the city of Trikala, in central Greece.

Speakers and participating groups described the incident as an “employer crime” and a “capitalist femicide,” arguing that worker safety had been sacrificed in the pursuit of profit.

Demonstrators repeatedly called for accountability and stronger protections for employees, emphasizing that workplace safety and dignity remain key issues for women in Greece.

Calls for safer workplaces and equal pay

Participants also highlighted broader labor and social demands, including calls for safe working conditions, equal pay and stronger protections against gender-based violence.

Organizers noted that 19 femicides have been recorded in Greece over the past year, stressing the need for systemic measures to address violence against women.

Several unions and activist collectives also criticized what they described as the weakening of the social state, pointing to the dismantling of the Labor Inspectorate, the underfunding of public health services and limited access to abortion in 46 public hospitals across the country.

Message of solidarity and collective struggle

Alongside domestic concerns, speakers expressed solidarity with women facing conflict and repression abroad, mentioning struggles in Palestine, Syria, Afghanistan and Iran.

The demonstrations culminated in Syntagma Square, outside the Greek Parliament, where protesters said the day’s mobilization underscored a broader message: equality is not given, but achieved through collective struggle.