UK Women’s March protesting for women’s rights in Bristol this week

A protest for women’s rights will take place this weekend across various cities in the country, including Bristol.

UK Women’s March, organised by Grassroots Feminism, will hold demonstrations against Donald Trump’s reelection, as well as recent comments made by Nigel Farage on abortion.

The march will take place this Saturday, 18th January, beginning at College Green at midday. The group will then walk toward Castle Park.

The organisation is set to see thousands of women nationwide protest against women’s rights, particularly surrounding anti-abortion and health care.

The UK Women’s March Facebook group has more than 20,400 members who are planning to attend their local marches.

The demonstration will firstly see those attending gather to give speeches, before setting off on their march at 1 pm, ending at 3pm.

Grassroots organiser, Carolyn Storer, posted their statement regarding the need for these marches to their official Facebook and Instagram pages.

It reads, “With Donald Trump set to return as US president in January 2025 and Nigel Farage picking up the anti-abortion mantle here in the UK, it’s time to make our voices heard.

“We are marching because violence against women and girls in the UK has increased by 37 per cent since 2018 and has now been declared a national emergency. We are marching because abortion in England and Wales, if not carried out according to the strict requirements of the Abortion Act 1967, is technically still a criminal offence carrying a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.”

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She continues to address concerns around anti-abortion and women’s healthcare, adding, “We are marching because reproductive rights are being removed state by state in the US making it increasingly more difficult to access safe abortions, and where vital healthcare is needed to save a woman’s life. We are marching because discrimination and violence against trans women and girls has increased around the world. Anti-trans rhetoric prevents women from addressing the real issues they encounter by reinforcing the gender stereotypes that have oppressed women for centuries.

“We are marching because women in Afghanistan under Taliban rule have been effectively silenced by being banned from speaking in public. They are no longer allowed to access education or work and are prevented from freedom of expression.

“We are marching because girls in Iran as young as 13 years old are forced into marriage, with lawmakers looking to lower the age to nine years old. Women face restrictions on dress with severe punishment for violations, including imprisonment and up to 74 lashes. These are just a few of the many ways misogyny and the patriarchy have affected women around the globe. We are angry, and you should be too.

“We are marching on Saturday 18th January 2025 in cities across the UK in solidarity with all oppressed women worldwide. We will be raising our voices for those who can’t raise theirs. Women are not free until all women are free. It’s time to march.”

Carolyn ends the statement by saying, “Our feminism is intersectional.” She raises that inclusivity is the central focus of the march, ending the post with: “We acknowledge how race, gender, class, sexuality, and disability intersect. Women are exposed to racism, ageism, ableism, homophobia, and transphobia, not just sexism and misogyny. This means we must acknowledge how these differences interlock for feminism to work.”

To follow updates about the march, or to watch them streamed on the day, their Instagram can be found here, @ukwomensmarch.