This 12 months’s MWR march takes place on Saturday, eighth March, beginning at Duke Avenue and concluding with a rally in Trafalgar Sq.. The MWR web site reads, “We march in sisterhood, solidarity and unity to protest the shortage of motion to handle male violence. We march to recollect and grieve the numerous ladies and women who’ve been killed by way of male violence, together with by way of state-inflicted/sanctioned abuse.”
MWR is an area for girls to securely launch their feelings. “I got here on stage final 12 months, and I did not realise I wanted to cry,” says Esi. “It simply occurred. Generally that you must shout, typically that you must rage, however it’s an area the place you may safely launch no matter you are feeling.”
The MWR is open to all ladies. Males can present their assist in some ways (together with cheering from the pavement) however are inspired to not attend the march itself. “So a lot of our areas are managed and dictated by males,” says Esi. “So to have an area the place ladies can come collectively – by us for us – is basically, actually empowering.”
“There’s numerous ways in which males can assist. They will take care of the youngsters, assist with logistics, and drop and acquire. They will speak concerning the march with the male buddies, they are often allies, they will maintain different males accountable.”
She continues, “It is not about males not being there. It is about us being entrance and centre and taking up the streets.”
All through its historical past, MWR has been led by Black and international majority ladies. “It is essential to see Black and Asian ladies on the entrance in the identical manner we’re seeing different marginalised ladies, akin to disabled ladies main the march saying that we’re nonetheless right here, we’re nonetheless alive, and we’re preventing one other day,” says Kafayat.
“We’re nonetheless right here as a world majority of ladies taking the lead; this must be preserved but in addition revered.”
Esi provides, “Our focus is on black and international majority ladies as a result of the murders, assaults and violence in opposition to black and international majority ladies and women is much less reported, and fewer supported.”
She continues, “Million Ladies Rise is a really intersectional house, however one that actually honours the story and the expertise of black and international majority ladies.”
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