Skip to content

Women's march: 'We don't feel safe on our streets'

BBC Women hold a large white and pink banner saying UK Women's March while marching near Manchester CathedralBBC
Marches have been held at 20 locations around the UK, including Manchester (above)

Hundreds of people have attended women's marches across the North West protesting an "unacceptable" rise in violence against women.

Organisers of the events in Manchester and Liverpool voiced concerns about increasing reports of violence against women, described as an "epidemic" by police chiefs.

The events, which happened at 20 locations across the UK, were organised by the recently-established UK Women's March group who said they wanted to "make our voices heard".

Sophie Cain, who helped organise the Manchester march, said: "The passion for [women's rights] has always been there, but we've seen the changes that are happening across the world and we are starting to feel it here in the UK."

Mairead Smyth/BBC A girl holds a cardboard sign with the words 'girls are strong' written across it. Her face isn't visible.Mairead Smyth/BBC
Marchers gathered with placards outside St George's Hall in Liverpool
Mairead Smyth/BBC Two women hold up a white canvas with RASA Merseyside and sexual violence services written on it in purple letteringMairead Smyth/BBC
Women in Merseyside gathered in Liverpool for a march

It comes as thousands of Americans have taken to the streets in Washington DC for the People's March - a newly rebranded protest movement, previously known as the Women's March - which has taken place every year since 2017 as Donald Trump began his tenure as President.

In the UK, the government recently repeated it was treating violence against women and girls (VAWG) as a "national emergency" and that they would outline later this year their strategy to halve the crimes.

Mairead Smyth/BBC A crowd of people at the bottom of the steps of St George's Hall in Liverpool. Some are carrying placards and they are listening to a speaker on the steps.Mairead Smyth/BBC
Crowds turned out in Merseyside to show their support
Graeme Maxwell/BBC Women hold placards that read 'tear down the sexist system' and 'dump trump' as they wear bright colours and walk together through the streets of BrightonGraeme Maxwell/BBC
Marches are taking place across the UK, including Brighton

Co-organiser of the Manchester march, Alison Campbell, said they "welcome the commitment to halve violence against women and girls by 50% in 10 years".

"We're not quite sure how they're going to achieve it and we want that to be taken a step further."

The government's announcement comes after a number of high-profile deaths of women and girls, plus coverage of grooming gangs.

In 2024, the National Police Chiefs' Council said more than a million VAWG-related crimes were recorded during 2022/23 – making up about 20% of all police recorded crime.

They also said offences had risen by 37% between 2018 and 2023.

At the Manchester march, Ms Cain said: "It's unacceptable - it's not the society we should have.

"It's a real shame that we don't feel safe in the streets or in our own home either."

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram.