Hundreds of women brought central London to a standstill yesterday to protest over violence against women and girls, days after International Women’s Day.
Gathering for the 10th annual Million Women Rise march, women and young girls marched through Oxford Circus yesterday, chanting “Whatever I wear, wherever I go, yes means yes and no means no”.
Making their way to Trafalgar Square, the protesters, including anti-female genital mutilation (FGM) campaigners, called for “safe streets” and “no excuse for violent men”.
Ann Samuel, a student from London who attended the march said: “It’s about awareness and women raising their voices and making themselves heard.
“I think more needs to be done against domestic abuse, domestic violence for women. They say when one woman stands up, they stand up for all women.
“Services are being cut and we can’t let that happen. It affects everyone one way or another so being here makes a difference.”
Celebrating its 10th year, the march was formed to campaign against the “global pandemic” of male violence against women.
The protest follows International Women’s Day and comes weeks after the Women’s March, which drew millions to the streets worldwide.