PHOTOS: Topless Women Take To The Streets In ‘SlutWalk’ Protest Against Rape

The half-naked participants of all ages with slogans written on their bodies and banners in their hands marched through the streets of the busy city.

They were wearing sexy lingerie such as short skirts, stockings, scanty tops and high heels to protest against excusing rape by referring to any aspect of a woman’s appearance.

The “SlutWalk” rallies began in Canada four years ago after a Toronto police officer suggested that “women should avoid dressing like sluts” as a precaution against sexual assault.

Subsequent rallies have occurred globally, with thousands of women willing to show that they own their bodies and have freedom of choice. One of such marchs was covered by journalists at Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana beachfront in Brazil.

Stephanie Ruas, a 26-year-old protester, said: “We may face violence anywhere. At school, as a young girl, at work – that’s the culture. Brazil is one of the worst places for a woman to travel alone. When I travel I bring a special door jam so that my hotel room cannot be opened.”

Indara Costa, who is only eighteen, added: “Men in Brazil think we are objects. We want to be able to do what we want with our bodies without being harassed.”

The women are also standing against proposed new abortion restrictions which, if passed, would mean that a woman only can have an abortion if pregnancy is the result of a rape and she can prove it.

Despite the presence of strict regulations, Brazil has one of the worst reputations in the world in terms of the harassment of women in the workplace and in the home.