Young women have shared their experiences of feeling unsafe on the streets of Belfast as part of an event highlighting violence against women and girls.

About 500 people took part in the march which was organized by a Queen’s University society called Walkie Talkie Girlies.

“You have to let people know where you are and stick together because that’s the best way to keep yourselves safe, that’s what the Walkie Talkie Girlies are trying to do,” one student said.

They walked from Queen’s University to Belfast City Hall, which was lit up in pink to highlight the dangers women and girls face.

Student Abi Dynan said she and her friends share their phone locations and hang out together on nights out.

She said: “You have to let people know where you are and stick together because that’s the best way to stay safe and that’s why me and all our friends have our shared locations whenever we’re out out, we never leave each other. others, even if one wants to go home early.

“You have to let people know where you are and stick together because that’s the best way to keep each other safe and that’s what Walkie Talkie Girlies are trying to do.”

When asked about the strategies in place to protect women and girls, she told BBC News NI “the end violence strategy felt great, but until events like this happen where you can draw attention to people who he must take note, nothing will happen.”

The plans were set in motion ahead of recent incidents in Londonderry where women were attacked in public.

Shauna McKey and Aisling Cannon, both law students, said the reality is that women need to take precautions to protect themselves from harassment and violence.

“Even just sharing your location with friends, where you’re going to be, the estimated times you’re going to be there, wearing a personal safety alarm,” Aisling said.

“Also, trying not to go alone. These are the things you have to do as a woman to feel safer. This is what happens, this is the reality for a lot of people.”

Shauna McKey said safety was always in the back of her mind.

“When it gets to the dark nights and it’s cold and you’ve got your hood up, you’re looking around to make sure nobody’s following you, you panic a bit.

“I commute to and from university and walk in the darker nights, it’s scary.”

Because of recent events, some feel it is imperative to join organizations like the Walkie Talkie Girlies.

Winona is one of them.

“The news that Belfast is the most violent city in Europe made me want to do something about it, so when I heard about this event I knew I had to go.

She told BBC News NI “when you see these things on the news, you don’t want to be part of a statistic”.

Shonagh Gill is also a student and told BBC News NI no matter the occasion she has to stay alert.

“It’s definitely something I’ve become more aware of, like even tonight I’m wondering how I’m going to get home alone tonight.”

After moving to Belfast from Donegal, she said the problem became more widespread after she moved because “growing up it was one of those things that you always have to be aware of and then you go out and things happen, you’re like ok, he’s just too friendly, but that’s not normal.

“Even if you pass comments or a wolf whistle walking the streets, it shouldn’t be normalized.”