A RALLY will take place in Belfast city centre this weekend to mark International Women’s Day.
The traditional march to City Hall has been replaced by a static rally at Writer's Square due to Covid-19 with this year’s theme of 'World Changing Women'.
The event on Saturday begins at 11am and will include ukulele and guitar music, dancing, period costumes and inspirational speeches from leading women activists.
According to organisers, it is women who are leading the call to protect women and girls from all forms of violence and demanding equality for all.
Hundreds of women are expected to attend with buses travelling from Enniskillen, Newry, Derry and Armagh.
Event speakers include Dr Manal Mahdi Hassan, chair of the House of Africa, Kendall Bousquet from Reclaim the Agenda and the Migrant Centre, and Cori Conlon from Youth Action.
Helen Crickard, co-ordinator of Reclaim the Agenda, which organises the annual rally, said: "We all recognise how hard the pandemic has hit women, in the workplace at home and sadly with the rise in violence against women and girls.
"Women have borne the brunt of lockdowns, home-schooling, eldercare, childcare, working from home, enduring long queues at shops, cleaning in the hope that their families would stay Covid-free and managing the mental health of their family and loved ones.
"It’s been really tough, we have lost so many good friends without having a proper send off, we need to meet up and share our strength and solidarity".
Further information is available at www.reclaimtheagenda.com
