Helsinki, March 9, 2026 – The Europe Today: Thousands of people marched through central Helsinki on Sunday to mark International Women’s Day, calling for stronger protection of women’s rights and greater action against violence and harassment.
Police estimated that up to 15,000 participants joined the demonstration, which began at Rautatientori at 14:00 and proceeded through the city centre before concluding at Kansalaistori.
The march became one of the largest public gatherings in the Finnish capital on Sunday. Participants carried banners and placards as they walked along Mikonkatu, Aleksanterinkatu and Mannerheimintie, eventually reaching the square near the Finnish Parliament and the central library.
Authorities said the demonstration caused temporary traffic disruptions in the city centre until around 15:30, as the procession moved through several major streets. Police monitored the march and helped guide traffic to ensure public safety during the event.
Organisers said the demonstration aimed to highlight issues related to gender equality, protection of women’s and girls’ rights, and the rights of minorities. Groups behind the event urged political leaders to take concrete steps to prevent violence against women and strengthen measures to protect individuals from harassment and abuse.
More than 70 organisations supported the march. Key coordinating groups included UN Women Finland, the women’s rights organisation Naisasialiitto Unioni, and the National Council of Women of Finland.
The event formed part of the annual International Women’s Day observance on March 8, which originated from early twentieth-century labour and equality movements and became an official United Nations observance in 1975 during International Women’s Year. Finland formally added the day to its national calendar in 1990.
Following the march, participants gathered at Kansalaistori for speeches and a public event attended by Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo. During the gathering, organisers presented a petition urging authorities to adopt concrete measures to end violence against women.
The petition called for ensuring that women and girls live in a society where their rights and dignity are protected and where daily life can be lived without fear of violence or harassment.
According to organisers, this year’s turnout exceeded that of the previous year. UN Women Finland reported that more than 10,000 people participated in the Helsinki march in 2025.
Police maintained a presence along the route throughout the event and reported no disturbances during the demonstration.
