Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said that violence against women is an “epidemic” in Australia, as thousands gathered in Sydney and other major cities to demand harsher anti-violence legislation.
The demonstrations held on Saturday were sparked by a wave of violence against women, which the government claims has resulted in a woman being slain every four days this year.
The rallies were also held in response to a mass stabbing in Sydney earlier this month, which murdered six people, five of whom were women.
Protesters demanding stricter criminal laws gathered in Sydney, the state capital of New South Wales, for a demonstration followed by a march that shut down the downtown streets.
Some protesters held signs that read “Respect” and “No More Violence”.
Around 3,000 people gathered at the parliament building in Adelaide, South Australia’s capital. Prime Minister Albanese announced on Sunday that he will attend a demonstration in Canberra, the national capital. “I will walk with women across Australia to say enough is enough,” Albanese wrote on X.
In Adel’s aide, Greens Party Senator Sarah Hanson-Young stated that “a national emergency response” was required to address the situation. “Women are sick and tired of being told, ‘Yes, it’s bad, but there’s not much we can do,'” Hanson-Young stated, according to a spokesman.
Similar protests were planned over the weekend in state capitals Perth, Western Australia; Melbourne, Victoria; Hobart, Tasmania; and Brisbane, Queensland.
Violence against women is a persistent issue in Australia, a country of 26 million people. Tens of thousands of people marched in 2021 in response to allegations of sexual assault and misbehavior in some of the country’s highest political offices.
