Emma Bonino among speakers at 2019 Women's March in Rome.

The Women's March returns to Rome on 19 January, for the third consecutive year, taking place in the central Piazza dei SS. Apostoli - near Piazza Venezia - from 11.00 to 13.00.

This year the event will see Americans and Italians stand together in solidarity for the promotion and protection of civil and social rights, women's rights and the environment.

Women's March Rome organisers say the aim is to raise awareness of "progressive values", with a particular focus this year on the "issue of violence against women, both in Italy and around the world."

Speakers will include prominent Italian senator Emma Bonino; the president of D.i.Re Lella Paladino; and Presa Diretta journalist Giulia Bosetti.

The 2019 event will see the participation of numerous organisations including Democrats Abroad Italy, American Expats for Positive Change, One Billion Rising Italia, The Gay Center Roma, Casa Internazionale delle Donne, and the Joel Nafuma Refugee Center.

The event marks the second anniversary of the 2017 Women's March Rome which was part of a global grassroots reaction in protest over the policies of the Trump administration in the US, and follows the 2018 rally whose speakers included Italian actress and activist Asia Argento.

Referring to the global movement begun two years ago, Rome organisers say: "We rose, millions strong, to answer the call against injustice, against racism, against misogyny, and against hatred. We stood against the hateful rise of fascism and nationalism. We stood for the rights of refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers."

For more details about the upcoming Women's March Rome see Facebook event page.