Swathes of women across the country are set to take part in a series of marches to highlight the rise in misogyny, abuse and controlling behaviour they are facing, both from individuals and groups.
The UK Women’s March 2025 will take place on Saturday, January 18, which organisers have pointed out is just two days before Donald Trump’s inauguration in the United States.
The group has stated it is is protesting against violence against women and girls, transphobia, Taliban rule in Afghanistan and “Nigel Farage picking up the anti-abortion mantle here in the UK”.
Marches have been organised for Exeter, Bristol, Sheffield, London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Brighton, Belfast, Leeds and many other cities.
The Plymouth march will begin at 12 noon at the Sundial with a series of rallying speeches, highlighting the issues facing women and girls across not just the UK, but further afield as well. The march itself will begin at 1pm.
Last November the first Reclaim the Night march in Plymouth in several years was held and marches and protests were held during 2022 in Plymouth following the murder of Bobbi-Anne McLeod which highlighted the growing issue of male violence against women and girls, not just in Plymouth, but across the country.
In a national statement, organisers behind UK Women’s March 2025 said: “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.
Hundreds of women, men and children took part in Plymouth’s Reclaim the Night march through the city, organised by the city charity Trevi in November 2024
(Image: Carl Eve/PlymouthLive)
“We are marching because violence against women and girls in the UK has increased by 37 percent 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.
“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 9 years old. Women face restrictions on dress with severe punishment for violations, including imprisonment and up to 74 lashes.
Campaigner Mel Sevieri at the End Violence Against Women march in Plymouth in May 2022
“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.
“We seek to demonstrate to policymakers that we will not waver in defending our rights, including autonomy over our bodies and healthcare choices. We aim to inspire future generations of women to envision and realise a world free from violence and discrimination.
“Our marches aspire to play a pivotal role in driving the societal transformation needed to achieve equality for women across all spheres, including healthcare, pay, safety, workplaces, education, and cultural norms. We are committed to being a leading force in these discussions, fostering a community where every debate and dialogue becomes a valuable opportunity to educate and be educated.”
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