Claim our bodies, claim our right
Take a stand, take back the night!
This is one of many chants that will be heard at Take Back the Night Calgary on Friday, September 19. The event is dedicated to raising awareness and protesting against violence against women. Every year, women from across Calgary come together to speak out, march through the streets and reclaim them for women. This march symbolizes women’s right to walk alone safely, without being afraid.
Violence against women continues to be a huge problem across Canada. Half of all women in Canada have experienced at least one incident of physical or sexual violence since the age of 16 (The Violence Against Women Survey, Statistics Canada, 1993).
History of Take Back the Night
Take Back the Night is a grassroots movement that began in 1975. Susan Alexander Speeth was stabbed while walking home in Philadelphia and the first Take Back the Night event was held as a response. The movement has grown over the following years and rallies are now held in many cities around the world. Calgary’s first “Women Reclaim the Night March” took place in 1982.
Rally and March
This year’s rally will start at 8pm and features local speakers and performers. Women and men will speak about violence against Indigenous women, domestic violence, the role of men and boys in ending violence against women, and share personal experiences of violence. This will be followed with a march in which women reclaim the streets without fear. The event will wrap up with a speak-out where participants are welcome to share their own experiences with violence or abuse.
Sign Making
Join us on Wednesday, September 17 from 6pm-7:30pm at the Women’s Centre to create your sign to take to the Take Back the Night march and rally and learn more about violence against women. All supplies provided. To register, please call 403-264-1155.
Join Us There
Take Back the Night Calgary will be held on Friday, Sept. 19, 2014 at 8:00 p.m. at Connaught Park (11 Street & 14 Avenue SW).
Join the Women’s Centre as we rally, march through the streets and raise our voices in support of ending all forms of violence against women. Look for the Women’s Centre banner!