Several thousands people gathered at Derry’s Guildhall Square on Friday evening to support calls for an end to violence towards women and girls.
It follows a series of attacks on women in the city over the past week.
Images of women who have been the victims of gender-based violence and murder were held aloft by attendees.
Members of the public also held up signs saying ‘women’s rights are human rights’.
In the past eight years 42 women and girls have been violently killed in the the North.
The Rally for Women’s Safety follows four serious attacks against women in Derry over recent weeks.
Speakers at the rally on Friday evening included event organise, SDLP councillor Catherine McDaid, as well as her party leader Claire Hanna MP.
Earlier a special meeting of Derry City and Strabane District Council where the women’s sector set out an action plan which they insist must be implemented in order to protect women and girls.
Foyle Women’s Aid highlighted that a lack of funding and a move to regionalised services has been damaging to the women’s sector in the city.
The meeting heard that First Minister Michelle O’Neill was to attend the Rally for Women’s Safety at Guildhall Square but had to cancel due to a family emergency.
She sent a message to Mayor Lilian Seenoi-Barr to convey her “full support” to the women of Derry.
Ms O’Neill gave a commitment from the Stormont Executive “to do everything they can to achieve the vision of a changed society where women and girls are free from all forms of gender-based violence, abuse and harm”.
Foyle Women’s Information Network – Catherine Cooke and Cassie Jane Butley – delivered a presentation on behalf of various groups representing women.
Statistics at the meeting that 98% of women in NI have experienced “at least one form of violence or abuse in their lifetime”.
Of those surveyed, 50% experienced that violence or abuse before the age of 11.
Among some of the anecdotes shown during the presentation, one woman said: “This is such a scary time for our women. When are we safe if this happens in broad daylight?”
Another added: “I’m dreading walking my dog. It’s only a 15-20 minute walk, but even during the day I’m scared.”
They spoke of ten practical measures that can be taken now, which included improved lighting and CCTV, as well as an enhanced police presence and accountability.
Marie Brown of Foyle Women’s Aid & Foyle Family Justice Centre said they would like to see “cross-party political action to ensure that there is proper funding ring-fenced for the agencies working daily in direct domestic abuse services”.
Women’s Aid, she explained, has been cut by about 45%, yet do double the work with waiting lists of up to 80 women a week.
“Women and girls have lost out, when things get tough, they’re the first to be dropped. We’re not valuing them,” she added.
Sinn Fein councillor Patricia Logue spoke about the recent attacks, saying she lives near her.
“All the women in this council and district should be able to go out walking in any area and be assured that we don’t have that fear, because that fear of violence can sometimes take over and stop you doing things that you would normally do,” added Cllr Logue.
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