Tens of thousands join March 4 Justice protests against sexual assault across Australia Abbianca Makoni
Thousands of women in 40 Australian cities took to the streets to protest against the sexual abuse and harassment of women in the country.
The mass rallies on Sunday, which saw protestors holding banners listing the names of women killed in acts of gendered violence, were ignited after a wave of sexual assault allegations were made public.
Brittany Higgins, an ex-political adviser alleged that she was raped in a minister’s office in 2019.
The allegation, which is under police investigation, has fuelled public anger and led for calls for parliament to change its procedures on dealing with claims.
March 4 Justice: Business leaders take to the streets, demanding the government sets a better example for women’s safety at work
The March 4 Justice event in Perth. Photographer: Mia Tarantini.
As March 4 Justice events get underway across the nation with protesters calling for an end to gendered violence, business leaders are picking up placards and taking to the streets while encouraging their employees and peers to do the same.
The movement comes in the wake of historic rape allegations against Attorney-General Christian Porter, and a lack of action from the government to address this; as well as after Brittany Higgins’ allegation of an attack in Parliament House when she worked there.
Tens of thousands of people marched across Australia on Monday to demonstrate against sexual harassment, sexual violence and gender inequality after #MeToo scandals in the country.
Published March 15, 2021
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Brittany Higgins, the former Liberal party staffer who came forward with allegations of rape and sparked a huge outpouring of rage in the process, delivered a powerful speech at the Women’s March 4 Justice in Canberra.
“We are all here today not because we want to be here, because we have to be here,” she told the crowd.
Thousands of women are gathering in cities across the country, angry about the allegations of rape, sexual abuse and harassment emerging from our parliaments and schools. They’re also furious with a prime minister who’s said he’s too busy to attend a rally in person to hear these concerns and would prefer a private meeting.
In Sydney, thousands of women gathered in crowds outside the town hall, spilling into the surrounding streets. They were dressed in black, waving placards: “What are you afraid of ScoMo?”, one read. “You will be held accountable,” said another. Another: “We shouldn’t need to do this.”