Thousands took to the streets of Chile’s capital Santiago to mark International Women’s Day, calling for equality and an end to violence, as scattered clashes broke out at points when demonstrators threw rocks at police, who responded with water cannons.

The crowd of thousands flooded the streets of the capital with dancing, music, holding up signs demanding gender equality.

National police estimated 125 000 took part in the capital and nearly 35 000 in other cities, but organizers said the crowds were far larger. Clashes broke out between police and protesters as hundreds of thousands of women marched in Santiago to demand an end to violence against women.