Thousands of people came out to support the March4Justice protests organised by Janine Hendry, including many Gen Z sisters and allies, to show our politicians that Australian’s are standing up to gendered and sexual violence in our government and society.
LISTEN BELOW: Girlfriend meets with protesters at the March 4 Justice in Sydney
Although there was meant to be a 1,500 person exemption placed by NSW Health due to COVID-19 restrictions, it didn’t stop thousands of people from showing up.
The crowd shouted the chants: “What do we want? Justice. When do we want it? Now!”
Young people in attendance spoke to Girlfriend about why they came to stand up to justice and how they feel about the government’s response to the rape allegations that came out last month.
After former liberal staffer Brittany Higgins came forward with her story, the response from the government was pitiful. From Scott Morrison saying he needed his wife and daughters to explain the gravity of rape to high-level senior members of the Liberal government, boiling the allegations to a ‘he said, she said’ argument.
These Gen Z teenagers who attended March4Justice spoke about their disappointment in our government.
“It is embarrassing that we have to say our Prime Minister didn’t want anything to do about it, that we have to attend a protest to make change because our Prime Minister is not educated enough to do it himself,” Laylanee, 14, told Girlfriend.
Leva, 14 shared her frustration with the system, “If men are the people that are problem, raping women, why is it women that need to take action?”
“I feel like again it is just so embarrassing to have to stand up and take care of men’s problems,” she said.
There were also male allies in the crowd, like Jackson, 15, who spoke about why he is sickened by the government.
“I would rather do something about women being raped than just ‘na ill ignore that, that is not a think that is important’ it is quite appalling.”
“I would like to see women being able to walk home at the middle of the night, and women being trusted when they say ‘I’ve been raped.’”
Evie, 13, came out to understand the power of protest and how she can use her voice to inspire others to support the cause.
“I am here to understand that one person times 100 people can be huge, and be awesome,” she told us.
“One person can make a difference and if I came here and held up a card, it can really inspire people to do it as well.”
She also spoke about her feelings about the government’s response to the rape allegations.
“I think it is appalling, it surprises me every day but it is something that is so normalised, no one is surprised anymore and that is a big problem,” she said.
When asked if she protected by the government she replied, “No, not necessarily, especially as a young girl in Australia, I really don’t feel as protected as I should be.”
Emma, 14 came out to March4Justice because she cares about women “not being raped.”
“I don’t think it is good enough, it is not right,” she said, “No, I don’t feel protected by people who rape women.”
“It is horrible people who do horrible things to people and deny it, they should not be running our government,” said Emma.
If the young women of Australia do not feel safe or represented by our government, then what is the future of our government?
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or chat online.
To speak to someone about sexual violence, please call the 1800 Respect hotline on 1800 737 732 or chat online.
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