Thousands of protesters gathered in Sydney and other major cities, calling for stricter laws on gender-based violence. The protests were prompted by the government’s report that one woman has been killed every four days this year due to this violence. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declared that violence against women is reaching epidemic levels in Australia, and announced his intention to attend a rally in Canberra to show solidarity with women across the country.
Sarah Hanson-Young, a Greens senator, called for a national emergency response to tackle the problem, emphasizing the need for action rather than empty promises. Protesters carried signs reading “Respect” and “No more violence,” demanding that the government take concrete steps to address the issue.
The urgent need for action and prevention measures has mobilized communities to come together and demand change in tackling this pervasive issue. Efforts are ongoing to address issues of sexual abuse and misconduct in high political offices, but more needs to be done to ensure that women feel safe and respected in all aspects of life.
