Gender equality will take another 133 years at current rate of progress, Belfast rally hears

More women must be in positions of power to bring world peace and end inequality, a rally in Belfast has heard.

Thousands of females took to the streets to mark International Women’s Day and demand a halt to global conflict, with equal rights for all.

Marchers and supporters gathered at Writer’s Square before marching along Royal Avenue for speeches at City Hall, where calls were made for an end to violence against women.

One campaigner warned that at the current rate of progress, it would take another 133 years to achieve gender parity.

Dawn Hopper, chair of the newly-formed ‘Belfast See Change’ campaigning group which raises awareness of the issues faced by those who are blind or partially sighted, said faster progress was needed.

“At the current rate of progress, it will be 2158 before we achieve global gender parity. Is that acceptable?” she said.

“To the 1.1 billion women and girls around the world who are still denied their fundamental rights due to poverty, violence, and lack of opportunity that disproportionately affect them, we will not stop advocating for you – we see you,” she added.”

Helen Crickard from Reclaim the Agenda, which organises the annual march and rally in Belfast, said: “This year’s rally is a plea for solidarity in the face of wars across the globe as well as the violence women and girls face here in Northern Ireland.

“We are demanding an era of peace, of respect for diversity and a world where all women are free to live their lives free of fear.”

This year’s theme was “Solidarity Beyond Borders: Women for World Peace”, demanding a demand to end violence both globally and at home.

Cori Strain (21) from YouthAction NI said more women in leadership roles could bring about the change needed for global peace.

She added: “We need more women in positions of power, better representation in politics and making policies that reflect the lived experience of women and will give them the support they need and to feel more equal and heard.”

Amina Moustafa from the Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation, which supports women affected by conflict, said women played a pivotal role in the peace process.

“Women from across the island of Ireland continue to foster meaningful relationships across communities and generations, to promote dialogue and reconciliation, and to push for a gender-inclusive approach to peace,” she said.

Other speakers included Afghan rapper and activist Sonita Alizadeh, who was sold into child marriage at the age of 10 and escaped at 16 when her viral music video, ‘Daughters for Sale’, helped her secure a scholarship to study in the United States.

Also taking to the stage was Sophie Nelson from the LGBTQIA+ women’s charity, Here NI, and Brenda Gough, co-founder of the Three Sisters Gardening Group.

In her speech, Brenda spoke of women fighting back against the destruction of ‘Mother Earth by men intent on war, levelling cities and burning the fields.

She said: “The war against the earth has always started in the minds of men. The men who have control over power and finance. They scar her skin and poison her bloodstream. They profit from levelling cities and burning the fields.

“Women who survived, climbed from the rubble, gathered children around them and fought to rebuild.

“Men tell us what a strong woman looks like. A strong woman is part of a tribe. We will continue to green our streets and alleyways. We will continue to reconnect our fractured community.”

This year’s theme was illustrated by 14-year-old south Belfast girl Catelyn Dillon, and her colourful poster was carried by participants at the march.

Catelyn said: “I am honoured that my picture will feature in the parade this year. I tried to make my picture inspire others, the woman depicts hope and warmth.”