Women’s March 4 Justice sees Australia protest against violence and misogyny

More than 100,000 people around Australia are calling for the abuse of women to end - with Christian Porter’s first wife leading the charge.

Protest marches are being held across Australia as an outcry against violence against women, sexual misconduct and misogyny echoes across the country.

The protest marches — known as Women’s March 4 Justice — will take place when Federal Parliament resumes on Monday, March 15.

Perth held its Women’s March yesterday, with Attorney-General Christian Porter’s first wife spotted in the crowd.

According to The West, Mr Porter’s ex-wife Lucy Gunn joined the thousands of protesters marching through Perth’s CBD.

Two specific incidents in federal parliament triggered the nationwide marches, one of which involved Mr Porter.

The Attorney-General is on medical leave after he was accused of a historic rape, allegations he strenuously denies.

Another cabinet minister, Defence Minister Linda Reynolds, is also on medical leave after her former staffer Brittany alleged she was raped in Ms Reynold’s office.

Infuriated by both situations, a Melbourne academic kicked off a grassroots movement to get women protesting.

Janine Hendry, a Melbourne academic, designer, entrepreneur and single mum, asked on Twitter whether it would be possible to form a ring of people around Parliament House as a silent protest from “extremely disgruntled women”. She got her answer — it would take almost 4000 people to make it happen.

I need someone to tell me if this is possible. I then also need someone to estimate the distance and how many women we would need? I’m absolutely serious if this is possible we need to protest at a time and place that tells not only this Govt but the world that we’ve had enough

— 💧Janine Hendry (@janine_hendry) February 24, 2021

Since then the idea has morphed into collective action across the nation. More than 85,000 women across 40 locations are expected to march in major cities as well as numerous country towns like Wollongong and Bunbury.

Ms Hendry said she was fed up with the “woeful behaviour” of the Government in response to sexual abuse allegations, ongoing discrimination and a lack of transparency and people would no longer be silenced on injustices.

The 58-year-old told The Sydney Morning Herald that the idea for the Parliament House protest was sparked after Brittany Higgins went public with allegations that a Liberal staffer raped her in the Defence Minister’s office.

She said it was also spurred on by the historical rape allegations made against Attorney-General Christian Porter, who has categorically denied the claims, and the shocking testimonies collected by Chanel Contos from thousands of students across Australia about a chilling culture of normalised rape and sexual assault.

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Brittany Higgins allegations have rocked Parliament and Australia, but have also encouraged more women to come forward and report. Picture: Supplied

While Ms Hendry thought it might have just been seven of her mates standing outside Parliament House with placards, the idea has seen a groundswell of support, including from some big names. Australian TV presenter Julia Zemiro will MC the Canberra protest and author and commentator Jamila Rizvi will speak at the Melbourne march.

“Historic change is in the air. Women who have never marched before are joining us in action. Women who have been marching their whole lives are still here. There are people from every political party and no political party,” Ms Hendry said.

Former federal MP Julia Banks, who accused colleagues of badly bullying her and quit politics, and independent MP Zali Steggali have both promoted the marches on Twitter.

Federal Labour MP Andrew Leigh tweeted that his office would be closed on Monday so his staff could attend the march at Parliament House.

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Author Jamila Rizvi will speak at the Melbourne march. Picture: AAP Image/Natasha Morello

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But offers from politicians who want to speak at the marches have been knocked back by Ms Hendry, because she wants the events to be apolitical and focused on change, she said.

There are more than 11,000 people following the March4Justice Facebook page and over 9000 on Twitter.

However, the original idea for the Parliament protest had to be canned.

“We are sadly unable to circle Parliament as planned due to permit and COVID restrictions and advice from our experienced organisers but we will make an impact by showing up in our thousands Join me and let’s say #EnoughisEnough,” tweeted Ms Hendry.

A previous Women’s March in 2019 in which demonstrators protested against violence against women. Picture: Dylan Robinson

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People are being asked to keep COVID-19 safe on the marches by wearing masks and observing social distancing. They are also being encouraged to wear black from head to toe.

The movement will also present a petition to Parliament demanding action on gendered violence. It calls for a federal Gender Equality Act, independent investigations into all cases of gendered violence and increasing public funding for gendered violence prevention. It also demands the 55 recommendations from the Australian Human Rights Commission’s 2020 report into sexual harassment in Australian workplaces be implemented.

WHERE ARE THE MARCHES BEING HELD?

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

Canberra: Parliament House, Upper Federation Mall, grassed area opp. main public entrance to Parliament House at 12pm

NEW SOUTH WALES

Sydney: Sydney Town Hall at 12pm

Albury: QE2 Square – 546 Dean St Albury at 12pm

Armidale: Mall Stage – Beardy st, near cnr Faulkner st & Post Office at 12pm

Bega: Kisses Lagoon at 12pm

Bellingen: Maam Gaduying Meeting Place Park at 11am

Byron: Mullumbimby Civic Memorial Hall at 12pm

Coffs Harbour: City Square – Coffs Harbour at 12pm (TBC)

Iluka: Country Women’s Association at 12pm

Lismore: Pride Corner – next to Lismore Transit Centre at 12pm

Newcastle: Civic Park – King st, Newcastle at 12pm

Nowra: Jellbean park, Egans Lane at 2pm

Taree: Fotheringham Park at 12pm

Wagga Wagga: King George Gardens – Ovens St at 12pm

VICTORIA

Melbourne: The State Library, 328 Swanston Street at 12pm

Ballarat: Alfred Deakin Place, Camp st, Ballarat at 12pm

Bendigo: View Point / Rosalind Park piazza Bendigo at 12pm

Geelong: Geelong Trades Hall -127 Myers St Geelong at 5.30pm

Rosebud: Rosebud Pier at 12pm

Torquay: Front Beach Torquay at 8am

Wangaratta: King George Gardens – Ovens St at 12pm

Warrnambool:Civic Green, Cnr Liebig & Timor St, Warrnambool – Circle of Solidarity, not a march at 12pm

Wodonga: Workers Memorial Rock, Sumsion Gardens, Church St Wodonga at 6pm

QUEENSLAND

Brisbane: King George Square at 12pm

Bundaberg: Bundaberg Courthouse, 44 Quay St at 4.30pm

Cairns: Fogarty Park – The Esplanade on 14 March at 4pm

Sunshine Coast: Cotton Tree Park, The Esplanade, opp. Second Avenue at 4pm

Toowoomba: Cnr of Margaret & Hume St (in Queens Park) at 12pm

Townsville: Illich Park, Aittkenvale, next/opposite to The Women’s Centre at 118 Charles Street at 3.30pm

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Adelaide: Victoria Square starting at 12pm

NORTHERN TERRITORY

Darwin: Raintree Park – Knuckey St end of Smith St Mall at 12pm

Alice Springs: Court Lawns at 1pm

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Perth: Starting at Forrest Place in the city centre from 11am on 14 March

Bunbury: Anzac Park (in front of Library) Bunbury CBD at 1pm

TASMANIA

Hobart: Parliament House lawn at 12pm