SYDNEY: Thousands rallied for a second day across Australian cities on Sunday (April 28) urging tougher laws on gendered violence with the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declaring it “a national crisis” at a rally in Canberra.
The rallies were spurred by a wave of violence against women that the government says has seen a woman killed every four days in Australia this year. The rallies also followed a mass stabbing in Sydney this month that killed six people, including five women.
In Melbourne, thousands took to the streets and Federation Square on Sunday, chanting and holding signs and placards.
“It’s not just government’s problem, it’s a problem of our entire society,” said Albanese at the rally in Canberra.
Gender-based violence is an ongoing issue in Australia, a nation of 26 million. In 2021, tens of thousands rallied over allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct in some of the nation’s highest political offices.