Protesters gathered in Liverpool to fight against misogyny and sexism to mark International Women’s Day.
Men and women of all ages turned up to show support and solidarity for women all over the world.
Liverpool’s own ‘Katumba’ drumming troupe was also there to provide live dance performances for the crowds.
Kim Johnson, Liverpool Riverside MP, told JMU Journalism: “As a newly-elected female MP, and Liverpool’s first black MP, I think it is only right that I support causes that are close to my heart. I think that gender equality is very important. It is worth recognising how far we have come as a movement, but there is still a long way to go in terms of pay equality.”
She added: “We also need to recognise the women who are living in war zones and being abused on a daily basis – those kinds of crimes are often going unheard. There is a massive humanitarian crisis happening globally, and we as women need to make that cause heard.”
YouTube: Olivia Wagg
Liverpool Sisterhood invited supporters of the march to a post-march after-party at Blackburne House, where attendees were able to listen to live music, shop around at independent stalls and watch performances from local artists.
International Women’s Day was founded in 1911 and became officially sanctioned by the United Nations, which began sponsoring it in 1975. Its history is rooted in movements designed to achieve better pay and voting rights for women; problems they still face today.
The march came to a close with speeches from local MPs, female rights activists, and influential writers from the city.