5,000 march in Brussels against violence towards women

A march in Brussels for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women attracted at least 5,000 people on Sunday, according to official police estimates.

The gathering was organised by Mirabal Belgium, a federation bringing together several dozen women's associations, and the turnout is up on last year's 3,000 figure.

Manneken Pis wore a specially commissioned orange outfit, offered by UN Women and the European Women's Lobby, as part of the global "Orange the World" campaign.

Several Brussels landmarks were lit up in orange to bring attention to the initiative, including the Berlaymont, European Parliament, EEAS building, King Baudouin stadium and Brussels city hall.

In Belgium so far this year, 33 women have been murdered - twice as many as in France on a per-capita basis.

In 25 of the cases, the suspected killer is the victim's partner or ex. Four were killed by a male stranger.

According to RTL, 70% of domestic violence complaints lodged with Belgian police do not end up with a prosecution.

"Women see their attempts to achieve justice hindered not only by outdated laws, but also by prejudice, victims' guilt and negative stereotypes and myths," says Amnesty International.