International Women's Day protests demand equal rights and an end to discrimination, sexual violence

Women across the world will call for equal pay, reproductive rights, education, justice and decision-making jobs during demonstrations marking International Women's Day on Saturday.

Officially recognized by the United Nations in 1977, International Women's Day is commemorated in different ways and to varying degrees in places around the world. Protests are often political - and at times violent - rooted in women's efforts to improve their rights as workers.

Demonstrations are planned from Tokyo to Mexico City, and this year's global theme is "Accelerate Action," coming at a moment where many activists worry that the current political environment may result in a backsliding on many of the rights they've long fought for. One in four countries reported a backlash against women's rights last year, according to U.N. data.