Argentines protest violence against women in large marches

A woman wearing a Venus symbol protests gender violence in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Monday, June 3, 2019. The grassroots movement "Ni una menos," or Not One Less, is marking its fourth anniversary by remembering the hundreds of women who have been murdered since its founding, and demanding laws to curb sexist violence that continues to permeate Argentine society. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

A woman's mask is covered with the Spanish phrase: "Enough killing," during a protest against gender violence in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Monday, June 3, 2019. The grassroots movement "Ni una menos," or Not One Less, is marking its fourth anniversary by remembering the hundreds of women who have been murdered since its founding, and demanding laws to curb sexist violence that continues to permeate Argentine society. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Thousands of Argentines have taken to the streets of the country's capital to protest violence against women.

Monday's march coincides with the fourth anniversary of the founding of the activist group Ni Una Menos, or Not One Less. The Argentine grassroots movement has mobilized to fight gender-based violence and has spread to other countries.

Argentina's Supreme Court reports there were 278 victims of gender-based violence last year.

Demonstrators are demanding an end to such killings and calling on authorities to protect women. They marched from the Congress building to Argentina's historic Plaza de Mayo square.

Many also carried signs in support of a bill recently introduced by lawmakers that would legalize elective abortion in Argentina.