A march will take place in Derry this weekend to mark International Women's Day 2023.
Organised by Alliance for Choice Derry and Stop Street Harassment NI, the march aims to raise awareness about gender-based violence.
People are encouraged to show their support for this important campaign and stand in solidarity with women facing harassment and even violence.
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A spokesperson from Stop Street Harassment NI said: "Alliance for Choice Derry and Stop Street Harassment NI are delighted to announce an International Women’s Day rally in Derry on Saturday March 11 at 1pm. Gathering at Bishops Gate, we will march towards the Guildhall.
"We are delighted to welcome speeches from Ellen Moore from Friends of the Factory, Sex Worker Advocacy, Rosaline Callaghan from Amyloidosis Ireland, and other local activists including Claire Bailey, Beverly Viola, Taylor Simpson, Jennifer Clifford, Goretti Horgan, and Ellen McVeigh.
"All are welcome to attend this exciting and colourful event and the march and rally will be followed by an International Women’s Day Celebration in Guildhall square with stalls, poetry, music, and food.
"Our International Women’s Day theme this year is ‘Stop Violence Against Women and Girls’. That includes trans women and girls, women locally and globally, whether they are facing sexism, misogyny, racism, poverty, or state, sexual or domestic violence or street harassment as well as barriers to our reproductive rights.
"We hope you all will join us on Saturday March 11, bring everyone you know: signs and banners flags and drums, or anything that will make noise, in a show of strength, solidarity, and resilience and to say we are here, and we are ready to stand up and fight for women everywhere."
Encouraging people to come out and support the march, People Before Profit Councillor Maeve O'Neill said: "The North is the most dangerous place to be a woman, with the joint highest deaths from domestic abuse. These statistics are shameful and they expose the inequalities women face in every aspect of life.
"Society would grind to a halt without the back breaking work of women, who hold up families and hold up communities. By improving rights for women, we improve Society as a whole. This is why we must all come together this Saturday, to raise our voices against femicide, against domestic violence and for equal rights for women and girls."
For more information, please contact either stopstreetharassmentni@gmail.com and allianceforchoicederry@gmail.com.
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