![Ines Louihik, 26, takes part in a welding workshop in Tunis, Tunisia. She says: 'In 2019 I passed the welding exam. I was the only woman [along with] 35 men. It is very difficult to be accepted as a woman. Many people think that welding is hard work exclusively for men, but I have proven that women can be welders too and I am very proud of myself." EPA](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/G34RW6NH4PF776QWJXME5GPBXI.jpg?smart=true&auth=d8c6fe1f1b0554a775f2b967fb96cc8ef7617e8285edacc3ce2fc460d8f7b614&width=800&height=526)
Protests sparked in towns and cities worldwide on Monday as women took to the streets on International Women's Day.
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to rage, women have been adversely impacted, experiencing higher rates of domestic violence, balancing work and childcare and suffering economic fallout of job loss.
Despite restrictions on gatherings in many nations, women in took signs and chants to demand change.
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[ International Women's Day celebrations in Syria ]
[ Pandemic hardships threaten lasting setback for women in the Middle East ]
