A record sum of more than €320,000 has been raised during the fourth edition of the Night Against Sexual Violence. Plan International, the organisation behind the march, reported that nearly 2,300 people took part in the event in Rotterdam on Saturday night. The walk aimed to raise awareness about street harassment and sexual violence.
A spokesperson for Plan International said on Sunday morning that the march was incident-free and had a good atmosphere. Participants could choose between a 10-kilometre or 20-kilometre route, which passed through areas where women frequently feel unsafe in their daily lives.
Garance Reus-Deelder, the director of Plan International, described the event as a powerful and supportive night. She noted that the walk not only attracted people who have experienced sexual violence themselves, but also many others, including male allies, who wanted to speak out against it.
The Mayor of Rotterdam, Carola Schouten, launched the event at the Laurenskerk. In her speech, she emphasised that sexual violence is not just a women’s issue, but everyone’s problem. She stated that people cannot look away or claim ignorance, as the issue affects the whole society.
Plan International will use the funds to support a global programme aimed at improving the safety of girls and young women in local neighbourhoods.
@anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
