Journalism & News from Bournemouth University

Dorset to take part in National March for Women’s Rights

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A group photo of Women's Network Organization Dorset aiming to eliminate violence
Women’s Action Network Dorset marching (from 2017). Credit: Emma Scott/Buzz

Locals from Bournemouth, Southampton, and Salisbury are coming together to March for the rights of women on Saturday.

On Saturday, 20,000 people are set to March across the country in a stand for rights of women everywhere.

The aim is to use the “momentum from the march” to create change through policy and motions.

Speaking to Buzz, organiser Sophie Withers said: “It really is a grassroots movement that got together, women that are angry at the election results and things going on around the world affecting women.

“We all got together and now we are a large group of women,” she said.

It follows the election of President Trump in the US and the support for Reform leader, Nigel Farage in the UK, who’s party just a point behind Labour in the polls.

Ahead of the 2016 presidential election, a leaked video of Trump showed him bragging about sexually assaulting a woman back in 2005.

That same year, reports of multiple women came forward accusing him of sexual misconduct. He refuted and called them “horrible, horrible liars.”

Nigel Farage was the former leader of the UK’s Independent Party (UKIP) and supported Brexit.

Mr Farage has a documented history of making ‘misogynistic’ comments; recently, he spoke on GB news on the new law to protect workers from sexual harassment.

Farage told viewers on his GB News show that it was tantamount to banning pub banter.

Labour and union members criticised him for speaking out against the law that would see employers making ‘reasonable steps’ to protect employees.

For example, the bill would protect pub workers from harassment by customers.

Data from TUC shows that three in five women have experienced sexual harassment, bullying or verbal abuse at work.

According to UN women, violence against women and girls has increased by 37% since 2018 in the UK.

Ms Withers believes the Covid 19 pandemic is one of the reasons the UK is seeing this rise.

“There was a huge rise of domestic abuse during lockdown, and I think also the rise of the ‘Alpha Male’ movement has affected it too,” she said.

The group are marching from The Triangle in Bournemouth Town Centre at midday, and plan to coordinate with groups nationally.

“We’re lucky in the UK, but things could be much better here.”