THOUSANDS of women marched in the Chilean capital Santiago on Thursday night in protest against the threat posed to their rights by far-right presidential candidate Jose Antonio Kast.

“Today, I am very eager to come because of what happened in Chile — just on Sunday a fascist won who wants to violate all our rights and what we have achieved,” protester Maria Jesus said.

She was one of many women and girls who gathered in Plaza Italia in the city centre to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

They raised slogans against Mr Kast, who came first in last Sunday’s presidential poll and will face left-wing candidate Gabriel Boric in next month’s run-off.

Mr Kast, an apologist for the Pinochet dictatorship, has vowed to abolish the Ministry of Women and also opposes the legal right to abortion, the extension of which is currently being debated by Congress.

“We are commemorating a very important date for the feminist movement,” said Women’s Institute director Gloria Leal. 

“Also, in this current political moment, that scenario where women's lives are at risk every day, new events put us at greater risk. With fascism advancing, it means that our lives are in danger," she added.