Thousands march in Peru against abuse of women

Lima, Nov 26 (IANS) Tens of thousands of people demonstrated in the main cities of Peru to protest against the high incidence of females murdered or subjected to male violence in the country.

The biggest march was held on Saturday in Lima and was called by the Ni Una Menos group, promoter of other massive marches previously held in the capital to raise awareness about the high levels of abuse women suffer and the impunity their attackers almost always enjoy, reports Efe news.

The demonstration, held on the occasion of International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, was led by some almost iconic victims of male violence.

Among them was the young lawyer Arlette Contreras, who said: "It's sad to admit that our country does not see that justice is done to us because it's not really aware of what we women go through."

Contreras, whose boyfriend dragged her by the hair through the lobby of an inn, said women have to "knock down the macho culture that exists in this country and that oppresses women so much".

According to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO) published in 2013, Peru is the country with the third most violence against women in the world, trailing only Ethiopia and Bangladesh.

Also taking part in the march were feminist organisations like the Manuela Ramos Movement, hose member Patricia Nava told Efe that abuse of women occurred not only on the streets but also in places of work and "in the heart of the family".

(This story has not been edited by Social News XYZ staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)