News / protest
Hundreds march for women’s rights
Chants of “my body, my choice” and “what do we want? Women’s rights!” were heard across the city on Saturday afternoon as people marched in support of women’s rights.
The march was part of a national women’s march, which saw protesters across 22 British cities speak out against violence against women and girls in the UK and abroad.
The organising group behind the marches, UK Women’s March, explained in a statement released in December that “with Donald Trump set to return as US president in January 2025 and Nigel Farage picking up the anti-abortion mantle here in the UK, it’s time to make our voices heard”.
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The UK Women’s March statement continued: “We are marching because violence against women and girls in the UK has increased by 37 per cent since 2018 and has now been declared a national emergency.
“We are marching because abortion in England and Wales, if not carried out according to the strict requirements of the Abortion Act 1967, is technically still a criminal offence carrying a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
“We are marching because reproductive rights are being removed state by state in the US making it increasingly more difficult to access safe abortions, and where vital healthcare is needed to save a woman’s life.
“We are marching because discrimination and violence against trans women and girls have increased around the world. Anti-trans rhetoric prevents women from addressing genuine issues they encounter by reinforcing the gender stereotypes that have oppressed women for centuries.”
Protesters came from across Bristol
UK Women’s March also added: “We are marching because women in Afghanistan under Taliban rule have effectively been silenced by being banned from speaking in public. They are no longer allowed to access education or work and are prevented from freedom of expression.
“We are marching because girls in Iran as young as 13 years old are forced into marriage, with lawmakers looking to lower the age to 9 years old. Women face restrictions on dress with severe punishment for violations, including imprisonment and up to 74 lashes.
“These are just a few of the many ways misogyny and the patriarchy have affected women around the globe. We are angry, and you should be too.”
Protesters marched across the city before congregating at Castle Park
Emmy, a college student, and Lauren, a young professional based in Bedminster, headed up the Bristol march.
Emmy said: “We are fighting for women’s rights across the globe. Everything that’s happening in America, with the abortion laws, and everything in the UK…and people in Afghanistan not being able to talk, it just seems like we’re going backwards and we’re not happy about it.”
Lauren added that she hopes the march “makes people take a bit more notice. It would be amazing if this changed loads of things, but it would just be good if it made people actually take a bit more notice of what was going on around them and the issues that are facing women”.
The Bristol marchers met up at College Green and began their march through the city at around 1pm – attracting some male hecklers – before congregating at Castle Park at around 2pm for speeches.
Kaz Self, a Labour councillor for Southmead, was in attendance as well as Kerry Bailes, a Labour councillor for Hartcliffe & Withywood.
Speakers spoke about the importance of showing solidarity with women and girls across the world and also shared personal stories about surviving sexual and domestic violence.
All photos: Rob Browne
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