Story By: Ana Lacasa, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: CEN

Video Credit: CEN/@somoshiedras

This is the moment feminist activists block city traffic whilst wearing a massive white sheet covered in blood splatters to highlight gender violence on International Women’s Day.

Around 50 women participated in the demonstration which took place on San Juan Street in the city of Medellin in the north-western Colombian department of Antioquia

According to local media, participating activists belonged to organisations such as women’s rights NGO ‘Guerreras del Centro’ (‘Central Warriors’) and ‘No Mataras’ (‘Don’t Kill) as well as local sex workers.

Pictures Credit: CEN/@somoshiedras & CEN/Twitter

Housewives, students and teachers were also there to lend their support, according to reports.

The group was using International Women’s Day as a backdrop for their message about gender violence because society “is sometimes blind to the abuses done to women”.

The large group stood in silence with their bodies under an enormous white sheet covered in blood marks that reportedly represented the fear and suffering experienced by many of them, especially the prostitutes.

One activist told local media: “There is a famous quote that says a prostitute cannot be raped, but they are raped – and abused.

“We are asking the government to provide more resources and public services to give us the opportunities and respect we deserve.”

The group also wants the authorities to provide more protections for victims to come forwards and report cases of gender violence.

Melissa Toro of the NGO ‘Guerreras del Centro’ said that 142 women have been killed in domestic abuse cases in Medellin since 2016.