World stands in solidarity for missing girls in Nigeria

Indian beachgoers pass a sand sculpture, calling for the release of kidnapped school girls in Nigeria, which has been created by sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik.

On April 14, 276 schoolgirls were abducted in the northeastern Nigerian town of Chibook, with eight more seized from Warabe on May 5. Three weeks later 223 girls are still missing. The Islamist militant group Boko Haram claimed responsibility, and threatened to "sell" the girls into slavery. The abductions have sparked offers of help from the United States, Britain, France and China.

People from all over the world are showing their support by holding rallies and protesting.

Colombo, Sri Lanka

Participants chant slogans and hold placards during a protest to demand the return of hundreds of school girls abducted by the Boko Haram separatist group at the World Conference on Youth 2014, hosted by Sri Lanka in Colombo, May 9, 2014.

Washington, D.C.

Participants display placards during a vigil in Washington, D.C, organized by Amnesty International in support of the abducted Nigerian school girls and their families, May 9, 2014.

Lagos, Nigeria

Women Arise civil society led by Joe Odumakin (L) accompanied by afro-beat musician Femi Anikulapo Kuti take part in a demonstration to press for the release of missing Chibok school girls in Lagos, May 12, 2014.

New York

Rev. Al Sharpton applauds as New York Mayor Bill de Blasio , standing next to his wife Chirlane and daughter Chiara, speaks to those gathered for a prayer vigil for abducted Nigerian schoolgirls outside the Consulate General of Nigeria in Manhattan, New York, May 10, 2014.

London, United Kingdom

Protestors demonstrate against the kidnapping of school girls in Nigeria, outside the Nigerian Embassy in London, May 9, 2014.

Lagos, Nigeria

Women rest after a protest demanding the release of abducted secondary school girls from the remote village of Chibok, in Lagos, May 5, 2014.

Durban, South Africa

People from all faiths gather to pray for the immediate release of the abducted Nigerian school girls during an interfaith prayer meeting held at the Blue lagoon Beach, May 11, 2014.

Durban, South Africa

People from all faiths gather to pray for the immediate release of the abducted Nigerian school girls, May 11, 2014.

Pristina, Kosovo

Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga joined by Kosovo lawmakers and human rights activists hold a banner to denounce the kidnapping of more than 200 Nigerian schoolgirls by Islamic militants, May 10 , 2014.

Niamey, Niger

Women sit as they gather during a meeting called by Congafen (the Coordination of the NGOs and Nigerien women associations) at the Youth house in Niamey, western Niger, to ask the United Nations (UN) to pursue in justice Boko Haram Islamists who are responsible for the abductions.

Colombo, Sri Lanka

Participants chant slogans and hold placards during a protest to demand the return of hundreds of school girls abducted by the Boko Haram separatist group at the World Conference on Youth 2014, hosted by Sri Lanka, May 9, 2014.

Paris, France

A person holds a small poster reading "Bring Back Our Girls" to denounce the kidnapping of more than 200 Nigerian schoolgirls, May 10, 2014 during a ceremony at the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris to mark the abolition of slavery and to pay tribute to the victims of the slave trade.

Geneva, Switzerland

A young participant shows a placard during a demonstration in Geneva, May 10, 2014.

Lagos, Nigeria

Afro-beat musician Femi Anikulapo Kuti demonstrates to press for the release of missing Chibok school girls, May 12, 2014.

Washington D.C.

Protesters hold signs during a march in support of the girls kidnapped by members of Boko Haram in front of the Nigerian Embassy in Washington, May 6, 2014.

London, United Kingdom

A protestor holds a sign as she demonstrates against the kidnapping of school girls in Nigeria, outside the Nigerian Embassy in London, May 9, 2014.

London, United Kingdom

A sign is seen pinned to a tree during a demonstration against the kidnapping of school girls in Nigeria, outside the Nigerian Embassy in London May 9, 2014.

Washington D.C.

People take part in a vigil held in the wake of the kidnapping of more than 200 Nigerian schoolgirls by the Islamist militant group Boko Haram, May 9, 2014.

U.S. lawmakers have been calling on the Obama administration - and Nigeria's government - to do more to retrieve the girls taken by Boko Haram militants.

Ronda, Spain

Runners protest against the kidnapping of school girls in Nigeria before the start of the XVII 101km competition, May 10, 2014.

Manhattan, New York

A woman, wearing a pin in the colors of the Nigerian flag, holds a carnation while taking part in a prayer vigil for abducted Nigerian schoolgirls outside the Consulate General of Nigeria, May 10, 2014.

Manhattan, New York

A man shouts "Bring back our girls," ahead of a prayer vigil for abducted Nigerian schoolgirls outside the Consulate General of Nigeria in Manhattan, New York. May 10, 2014.