Thousands march to 'Reclaim the Night'

More than 2,000 women took to the streets of central London as part of this year’s Reclaim the Night march, demanding an end to all forms of violence against women.

The annual women-only march is an important event to the NASUWT and its agenda in tackling violence against women and young girls.

The Union strongly backs Reclaim the Night and also provides financial support to the event, which also marks International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

Marches are held in towns and cities across the UK and thousands of women from all ages and backgrounds take part.

The London march began on Whitehall before progressing through Trafalgar Square and parts of the West End before heading up Tottenham Court Road and ending with a rally at the Camden Centre in Euston.

Hundreds of people stopped to take photos of the marchers, the majority of whom carried purple ‘End Violence Against Women” placards.

Reaction from members of the public watching the march go past was very positive with many clapping as the march went past.

An occasional sexist comment from male drinkers on the cold Saturday evening was given the contempt it deserved.

Jennifer Moses, NASUWT National Official for Equality and Training was one of the keynote speakers at the rally.

She told the audience: “Reclaim the night is a really important event to the NASUWT and its agenda in tackling violence against women and young girls.

“Trade unions have a long and proud history and strong history of collectively challenging violence and sexual assault against women in the workplace, on the streets and in the home.

“We also support action against other forms of male violence such as trafficking women and so-called honour killings.

Ms Moses also reconfirmed the NASUWT’s support for the Poppy Project which is facing big cuts in funding from the Government. The project helps support victims of human trafficking.

As a result of cuts the Poppy Project would lose £4 million, 90% of its funding and will not be able to continue unless it can raise the money it needs, she warned.

She went on: “Schools and education play a vital role in educating young people about healthy non-violent relationships and creating a society in which difference and diversity are recognised and in which women and girls are treated with respect.

“On a daily basis teachers see young girls suffering from sexist bullying, unwanted touching or are aware that they have been physically hurt or forced into sex by someone they are in a relationship with.”

Ms Moses was cheered as she stressed the importance of public services to women.

She added: “I hope we will see you on November 30 standing up for our public services.

“End violence against women, end violence against women now.”

Finn Mackay, founder of the London Feminist Network, said the march had been hugely successful and showed women of all ages and from all backgrounds were reclaiming the night for themselves.

She said: “The London Reclaim the Night march is the largest in the country but they are held in towns and cities across the country from Aberdeen to Devon.

“This movement is growing, women have had enough. Young women are finding feminism for the first time and something is afoot in this country.”