Women’s rights and issues of gender bias were highlighted at the Women of Mann march.

Following a march of about 60 people, including women, men and children, along Douglas promenade, speakers, including scientist Haafizah Hoosen, Carol Glover and Dr Alex Allinson, addressed the crowd at a speakers’ event, held in St Matthew’s Church Hall, Douglas.

Haafizah, a scientist with a background in biomedical science, is currently working on a PhD studying parasitology.

She spoke of the issues she faces on a day-to-day basis in the course of her work and studies.

It echoed a talk on unconscious bias that was given by Jane Poole-Wilson MLC.

’You can do whatever it is you want to do, and you shouldn’t let the fact that it is not the norm stop you,’ Haafizah told the crowd.

This inspired Kaya Teare, a second officer in the Merchant Navy, to give an impromptu speech on careers in non-traditional female roles.

The crowd also heard music from local singer Theresa McNulty and poet Stacy Astill.

Organiser Jade Patterson said that, with last year’s march being dominated by the debate surrounding the changing of the island’s abortion laws, they welcomed the chance to address many different issues this year.

’This year has been a bit more organic, and we haven’t had the surrounding arguments about the abortion laws to deal with,’ said Jade.

’It has been more about unity and raising each other up, so that we can just get on with simply being better humans together.’