'It is scary': Women call for action on street safety

Young women have been sharing 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 organised by a Queen's University society called Walkie Talkie Girlies.

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

They walked from Queen's university to Belfast City Hall, which was lit up pink to highlight the dangers faced by women and girls.

Plans were put in motion before recent incidents in Londonderry in which women were attacked in public.

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

"Even just sharing your location with friends, where you're going to be, estimated times of when you're going to get there, carrying a personal safety alarm," said Aisling.

"Also trying not to walk by yourself. These are the things you have to do as a woman to make yourself feel safer. This is what is happening, this is the reality for a lot of people."

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

"When it does come into the darker nights and it's cold and you have your hood up, you're glancing around to make sure nobody's following you, you're panicking a bit.

"I commute to and from university and walking in the darker nights, it is scary."