This yr’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 dearth of motion to handle male violence. We march to recollect and grieve the numerous girls and ladies who’ve been killed by means of male violence, together with by means of state-inflicted/sanctioned abuse.”
MWR is an area for ladies to soundly launch their feelings. “I got here on stage final yr, and I did not realise I wanted to cry,” says Esi. “It simply occurred. Typically you have to shout, generally you have to rage, but it surely’s an area the place you’ll be able to safely launch no matter you feel.”
The MWR is open to all girls. Males can present their assist in some ways (together with cheering from the pavement) however are inspired to not attend the march itself. “So lots of our areas are managed and dictated by males,” says Esi. “So to have an area the place girls can come collectively – by us for us – is actually, actually empowering.”
“There’s a lot of ways in which males can assist. They’ll take care of the youngsters, assist with logistics, and drop and accumulate. They’ll speak concerning the march with the male buddies, they are often allies, they’ll 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 girls. “It is vital to see Black and Asian girls on the entrance in the identical manner we’re seeing different marginalised girls, reminiscent of disabled girls 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 worldwide majority of girls taking the lead; this needs to be preserved but additionally revered.”
Esi provides, “Our focus is on black and international majority girls as a result of the murders, assaults and violence towards black and international majority girls and ladies is much less reported, and fewer supported.”
She continues, “Million Ladies Rise is a very intersectional house, however one that actually honours the story and the expertise of black and international majority girls.”
SOPA Photographs
