France, March 8 -- People around the world marked International Women's Day Friday with protests, demonstrations and celebrations. France, for its part, inscribed guaranteed right to abortion into its constitution.

Thousands of people demonstrated in France's major cities including Bordeaux, Lyon, and Marseille, but also in smaller ones like Orleans, Quimper and Belfort. In Paris, people came together in the afternoon and marched from Gambetta Square to Bastille Square.

According to Myriam Lebkiri of the CGT trade union, protesters, both male and female, demanded equal pay "in both [private] companies and state-run organs."

Paris also saw some scuffles between pro- and anti-Israel demonstrators.

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Ma...