‘It was civil war’: photographing Mexico’s women’s rights protests

Mahe Elipe captures the visceral anger as International Women's Day protests turned into a violent clash with police

• Read more in our series: Forgotten human rights crises 2021

On 8 March 2021, women across the world took part in protests to mark International Women's Day. In Mexico, there is an added poignancy to the annual event, as at least 10 women are murdered in the country each day; in 2021 the date was was marred by additional violence.

In the runup to the day fences were erected around the national palace in Mexico City's main square, where thousands of women were due to gather.