A socialist women’s group has called for people to take to the streets in an effort to stop further attacks on women and girls.
ROSA Northern Ireland, a socialist feminist movement, has organised a rally at the gates of Queen’s University Belfast on Wednesday after four women were killed here in six weeks.
The group says the public must be prepared to stage walkouts and protests in an effort to highlight the “epidemic” of gender based violence.
Mary Ward became the fourth woman to be killed in a month and a half when she was found in her Melrose Street home in south Belfast at the beginning of October.
Eva Martin, ROSA organiser in Belfast, told the Irish News said action needs to be taken immediately to address issues around femicide.
“We want to bring people together to stand in solidarity, grief, anger in the aftermath of another femicide,” Ms Martin said.
“Femicide is a rampant issue in our society and I think more and more people are coming to the conclusion that this is systemic and this can’t continue.
“Action needs to be taken now to tackle gender-based violence and what is at the root of it.
“That’s why we decided to call this standout and in particular highlight the fact there have been four femicides in six weeks.”
Ms Martin added that Stormont needed to do more to tackle the issue of violence against women and girls. An End Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy was launched last month while the issue was listed as a priority for Executive parties in the draft Programme for Government.
“When the Executive came back earlier this year it was said that tackling violence against women was a priority, yet within weeks we saw funding cuts to counselling for victims through Nexus,” Ms Martin added.
“That was a blow to so many victims and survivors and while it was later reinstated, it sends totally the wrong message.”
Wednesday’s rally will take place at the main gates of Queen’s University Belfast at 1pm.
