Publicity stunts and serious marches mark International Women's Day

Female-led protests and events popped up in cities across the world on Wednesday, marking International Women's Day.

In Paris, a group of activists demanded that this year's Women's Day be dedicated to celebrated Turkish novelist Asli Erdogan - who has no relation to the president.

The author, who is banned from leaving Turkey, was released from jail in December after 132 days of pre-trial detention but could still face life imprisonment.

Meanwhile, passengers flying from Abu Dhabi's nternational airport were met, greeted and served by an all-female staff.

The United Arab Emirates also recieved five Air India flights run by an all-female crew to mark the global occasion.

In the United States, hundreds of protesters - mostly women wearing red T-shirts and jumpers - rallied at a park outside the White House to protest President Donald Trump's policies on women.

Many of the demonstrators carried signs condemning the reintroduction of a global "gag order" which prevents foreign charities from using US government funds to provide abortion services, information, counselling or referrals.

"Donald Trump has got to go!" and "This is what democracy looks like!" protesters chanted.

A nationwide call to strike on Women's Day, under the banner "A Day Without Women", led all schools to shut in the town of Alexandria, Virginia, with many teachers there joining the action.

Trump, whose presidential campaign was nearly derailed by sexual harassment charges and his boasts about groping women, tweeted about his "tremendous respect for women and the many roles they serve that are vital to the fabric of our society and our economy."

His tweets however triggered angry responses, with social media users accusing him of sexual assault and criticising his campaign's support for pro-life groups.

In Melbourne, pedestrian traffic lights showing female figures rather than male were installed to reduce "unconscious bias" and promote gender equality.