Marchers have begun their march for Noakhali from the capital’s Shahbagh area in protest against the growing incidents of rape, sexual harassment and violence against women in Bangladesh.

The protesters — comprising of some left-leaning parties, students, youths and rights activists – started their long march on Friday noon to press home their nine-point demand.

Their two-day long march will go through Gulistan, Chashara, Sonargaon, Chandina, Cumilla, Feni, Daganbhuiyan, Chaumuhani and Eklaspur. On October 17, they will hold a rally in Maizdi.

Anik Roy, convener of the long march, said their nine-point demand includes reformation of the Evidence Act, implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) charter, exemplary punishment for those involved in gender-based violence, and an end to repression of women.