March sends out message against violence

Demonstrators turned out in their hundreds to campaign against gender-based violence during Dundee’s Reclaim the Night march last night.

Crowds met at Magdalen Green, many armed with placards, before setting off through the city centre and finishing at the V&A for a presentation from guest speakers.

Reclaim the Night is an annual event with the aim being for women to “reclaim” the streets so that they can walk alone at night without fear of assault.

It was held as part of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence, an international movement that kicks off each year on November 25, coinciding with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until Human Rights Day on December 10.

Among the marchers was 37-year-old Kerri Rodger, who said: “I’ve come out to join the march because I’m a woman, violence against women is obviously ongoing and it’s not just a local issue – it’s a global and multigenerational issue – so I just thought I have to come out and show solidarity.

“Women are still being raped and murdered daily, hourly and minutely by men and they’re not changing their actions so we’ve got to do something that’s going to change their actions.”

Hundreds turned out.