Many people recognise that the world is unjust. But far fewer individuals actually decide to get up and do something about it. Which is one of the reasons that Gina Martin – the activist who spearheaded the campaign to criminalise upskirting in England and Wales – is so inspirational.

Martin began her crusade against upskirting – the act of taking a photograph underneath another person’s clothing without their knowledge or consent – in 2017, after she endured a traumatic experience at a music festival. A group of men began bothering her, and when she tried to brush them off, one stuck his hand between her legs and took photos of her crotch. He then sent the images to the rest of his group.

Outraged, Martin snatched one of the men’s phones and ran to a police officer – and was shocked to be informed there was nothing they could do. There was no law that specifically made upskirting illegal.

Today, thanks to Martin’s courageous and tireless campaigning work, those police officers would be required to give a very different response. Following several months of political wrangling – thanks, Christopher Chope – new legislation making upskirting a criminal offence was finally approved in February. From April, taking upskirting photos will be punishable with up to two years in prison and being placed on the sex offenders’ register.

Remarkable Women Awards 2019: Upskirting activist Gina Martin has one message for Christopher Chope