After a month of accusations that Parliament House harbours a toxic workplace in which women are not protected, black-clad protesters are planning to descend on the nation's capital to send a message that "enough is enough".
It comes on the first day of parliamentary sittings since the scandal-plagued fortnight in which allegations about the culture in the building were raised.
The national day of action will also see marches held across the country, even if the main event march in Canberra has had to be changed due to COVID-19 safety measures.
What's happening?
The protests are being organised by Melbourne academic Janine Hendry, who initially outlined her hopes for "extremely disgruntled women" to link arms and form a human chain around Parliament House in Canberra.
Monday is the first day of parliamentary sittings since late February, when Parliament was engulfed by an allegation made by Brittany Higgins that she was raped inside the office of then-defence industry minister Linda Reynolds.
Separately, Attorney-General Christian Porter has also emphatically denied a historical rape allegation going back more than 30 years and is currently on mental health leave.
Organisers hope the Canberra march will see thousands of protesters take to the lawns of Parliament House, but protests will also be held in all major cities and dozens of regional locations.
Will it be COVID-safe?
The main event in Canberra has been approved by ACT Health authorities, though concessions have been made to ensure the protests are in accordance with the rules there.
While the initial plan was to form a human ring around Parliament, that plan had to be ditched for safety reasons.
"Due to COVID restrictions, we can't do this but we will be still making an impact," Ms Hendry said.
Anyone attending the main march will be required to check in with the ACT's Check In CBR app, and hand sanitiser will be available at the event.
What do the protesters want?
The march on Parliament House will culminate in organisers delivering a petition calling for a range of actions including:
- Independent investigations into cases of gendered violence
- Strengthening of the Sex Discrimination Act
- Mandatory gendered violence and sexual harassment training for MPs and their staff
- For all Australian parliaments to have a 50:50 gender split by 2030
At least one of the protesters' demands has already been met, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison last week announcing sex discrimination commissioner Kate Jenkins would conduct a review into the workplace culture at Parliament House.
At the time, Mr Morrison acknowledged the culture in Parliament had to change.
"The Parliament of Australia should set the example for others to follow," he said.
"The Parliament of Australia should reflect best practice in the prevention of, and response to, any instances of bullying, sexual harassment, or sexual assault."
Ms Hendry said she believed the marches, which she labelled apolitical, would ensure that lasting change.
"Women who have never marched before are joining us in action. Women who have been marching all their lives are still here," Ms Hendry said.
"There are people from every political party and no political party."