More than 5,000 men and women march in Brussels to stop violence against women

The City of Brussels launched its Orange Day campaign as part of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on November 25th, 2018. This year’s demonstration brought together about 2000 more people than last year.

This year’s demonstration for the elimination of violence against women gathered approximately 5,000 women and men. The demonstration started Sunday afternoon in front of the courthouse of Brussels. Participants were carrying banners and placards containing powerful messages against male violence towards women and pushing for women’s economic independence.

The demonstration started at 14:30 with a march around the center of Brussels that ended at Poelaert Square.

Call on authorities to act

This mobilization came as an initiative of the Mirabal Belgium platform as well as several dozen associations which have supported it.

The organizers have noted that even though the turn out numbers have been very encouraging, action is needed on the part of the authorities. They call on public authorities as well as men in general to take responsibility and help to put an end to violence against women.

In 2016, Belgium ratified the Istanbul Convention, which is the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence. As part of the monitoring process, Belgium is required to report on the effectiveness of the measures they have adopted.