Several hundred people assembled in Liège for a feminist 'cycloparade' on Friday afternoon, calling for a stronger fight against economic violence towards women.
Starting at 14:30 from the square in front of B3 building – the Liège province's new resource centre – the majority-female procession of hundreds of cyclists and pedestrians made its way around the Outremeuse district, under the bright afternoon sun.
This marked the seventh consecutive year that the 'Collectives and Ardentes' platform organised such a rally to coincide with International Women's Day. The platform brings together various associations, activist groups and citizens.
Feminist 'cycloparade' to mark the International Women's Day in Liege, 8 March 2024. Credit: Belga / Angele Olivier
This year's focus was on the seldom-seen yet glaring issue of economic violence against women. Prior to the rally, a woman shared her personal experiences of trying to escape an abusive relationship. She revealed the economic violence she suffered alongside physical, psychological and sexual abuse. Forced to leave her job due to the trauma, her abuser also frequently used her bank card without her permission.
"Escaping is expensive," she poignantly told the crowd. "Often, everything must be left behind," highlighting challenges such as lack of resources, unstable employment, housing costs and cohabitating status.
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Single mothers are primarily hit by the crisis, said Alicia, a worker from the Collective Against Family Violence and Exclusion (CVFE), making it extremely difficult for them to make ends meet. Alicia emphasised the need for "global feminism, for all women and those identifying as women."
With songs and slogans such as On est plus chaud, plus chaud que les machos ('We're hotter than machos') filling the air, the hundreds of participants rallied against economic violence.
