Thirty years after world leaders adopted a historic blueprint to achieve gender equality, a new United Nations report says women’s and girls’ rights are under attack and gender discrimination is deeply embedded in economies and societies.

Women's rights are under attack and "we must fight back," United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Friday, warning that the world cannot stand by as progress is reversed.

Thousands have gathered in central London on International Women's Day, to demonstrate against male violence against women and girls. Demonstrations around the world on March 7 and 8 marked International Women's Day.