Brazil: Women of Color march draws thousands in Rio de Janeiro

Thousands of women marched in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, demanding more government support for marginalized women of color.

Many displayed traditional clothes and danced to music related to Brazil's African history, while chanting and holding banners for the fight for rights and dignity of black women.

"The more Black we are, more racism we suffer. A single day passes by without a Black woman suffering racism. From the most violent racism to the covert racism, which hurts the same," said 56-year-old historian Claudia Vitalino.

Next to Copacabana Beach, the march marked the 8th Black Women's March after a two year break because of the pandemic.

It raised awareness of women's issues just a few months before national elections where women voters are expected to play a key role in choosing the country's next president.

According to the latest polls, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva leads President Jair Bolsonaro by double digits, especially among women.