March for Women: Sadiq Khan, Biffy Clyro, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Helen Pankhurst to lead gender equality activists marching on London

Annie Lennox and Sadiq Khan at last year's march
PA
Fiona Simpson4 March 2018

Sadiq Khan, Biffy Clyro and Helen Pankhurst will lead 10,000 gender equality activists in central London to highlight the fight for gender equality.

The Mayor said he was “honoured” to be taking part in today’s March4Women demo as he vowed to make “London the best city in the world to be a woman”.

The rally, which kicks off at Millbank's Old Palace Yard at midday, coincides with the 100th anniversary of the first women being given the right to vote.

It is set to shine a spotlight on the inequality women and girls face worldwide.

Annie Lennox at last year's march
PA

Suffragette star Anne-Marie Duff will greet campaigners at Trafalgar Square following the march by reciting Emmeline Pankhurst's acclaimed Freedom or Death.

#March4Women event in central London on March 5, 2017

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Actress Duff, who starred as laundry worker Violet Miller in the 2015 film, said: "Emmeline Pankhurst was a formidable figure, whose name means so much to so many people. Her fight is close to my heart, and 100 years on, her powerful words are as relevant as ever.

Thousands of people at last year's event
PA

"I'm honoured to have been asked to share them, and I can't think of a more spectacular and special location than the same spot in Trafalgar Square where Emmeline herself stood, and addressed thousands of suffragettes."

Scottish rockers Biffy Clyro will perform at the rally which is being hosted by presenter and comedian Sue Perkins.

Annie Lennox will give a powerful video address to crowds planning to brave freezing temperatures for the event.

Campaigners will walk from Millbank to Trafalgar Square
March4Women

Mr Khan, Bianca Jagger, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Michael Sheen and Pankhurst's great-granddaughter, Helen Pankhurst, will also address the crowd.

Mr Khan said: “It is an honour to walk in the footsteps of the women and men who fought for women’s suffrage, retracing their protest route from Parliament to Trafalgar Square.

“This year, more than ever, we need to take stock of how much there is left to do to tackle the huge inequalities women still face. Gender equality is not just a fight for women and girls, it is important for all of us to step up. As a proud feminist in City Hall, I’m committed to doing everything I can to remove the barriers to success women in London face today.

Star's at last year's annual rally
PA

“This year and beyond, through my #BehindEveryGreatCity campaign, I will be encouraging Londoners to celebrate the women of all backgrounds who make London the greatest city in the world as well as working with the capital’s leading industries to support real positive change. I want London to not only be the best city in the world to be a woman, I want it to be a trailblazer in fighting gender inequality in all its shapes and forms.”

Biffy Clyro frontman Simon Neil added: "Of course women and men should be equal. We are passionate about the fight for gender equality. That's why we are standing in solidarity with women this Sunday - by performing at March4Women."

For more information about the march click here.

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