More than 2,000 people took to the streets of downtown Toronto Saturday afternoon — two days ahead of International Women's Day on March 8.

The annual International Women's Day march focused on a number of women's issues, including job equality and calling for an end to exploitation and violence.

Women, children and men gathered at the University of Toronto campus at Bloor at St. George streets before heading south on Yonge Street, towards Ryerson University.

Organizers said the purpose of the rally was to bring women of all backgrounds together to celebrate how far they've come and recognize that there's more to be done for the status of women.

Marcell Rodden brought his two daughters, Channelle, 11, and Ebony, 13, to the march.

"Movement for the equality of women is related to all the struggles of all the peoples around the world," Rodden told CBC News.

"It's good to come out and bring out your children to make them aware, as well, of all the struggles that are going on internationally."

Recognized since the early 1900s, International Women's Day is now an official holiday in such countries as China, Bulgaria and Ukraine. Next year will mark its 100th anniversary.