Thousands of women, children, and men marched in the historic footsteps of the suffragettes from Parliament to Trafalgar Square today, marking International Women’s Day and 100 years since the first women in this country won the right to vote.

And presenter and writer Sue Perkins hosted the rally in Trafalgar Square, which included a star-studded line-up of music from Biffy Clyro, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Jones and rising star Eden Tikare.

However, while Perkins made sure to keep the crowd in high spirits throughout the three-hour event with her zingy one-liners and jokes, the comedian got incredibly serious when it came to the subject of sexual harassment and the #MeToo movement.

Referencing all of those victims who have bravely come forward “from the Hollywood hills to the halls of Westminster” and “the Oval Office to the President’s Club” to name their abusers over the past few months, Perkins grew emotional as she pointed out that some tabloid outlets have implied these alleged victims should feel ashamed.

“It is our abusers’ shame to own, not ours,” she said, to rapturous applause. “Ever.”

Perkins went on to insist that sexual abuse, and the unfair “blame” narrative that victims of harassment are subjected to over and over again, is “ubiquitous, it is universal and the time has come for it to stop, full stop”.

“Sexual harassment must end,” Perkins finished. “And this is the perfect spot to make that commitment.”

To see Perkins’ speech – and all of the most inspirational, powerful and uplifting moments from CARE International’s annual #March4Women as they happened – check out our liveblog right here.

Images: Rex Features