Shoalhaven City Council in partnership with Shoalhaven Women's Health Centre and International Womens Day Shoalhaven are inviting the community to take part in a community march to advocate for an end to violence against women.
Violence against women is any act of gender-based violence that causes or could cause physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering, including threats of harm or coercion, in public or in private life.
1 in 3 Australian women (30.5%) have experienced physical violence, 1 in 5 Australian women (18.4%) have experienced sexual violence, 1 in 3 Australian women (34.2%) have experienced physical and/or sexual violence perpetrated by a man and almost one in 10 women (9.4%) have experienced violence by a stranger.
According to the Australia Institute, 87 percent of women have experienced at least one instance of verbal or physical street harassment. For many women the stress and anxiety that comes when exercising in public space negates many physical and mental health benefits. This ultimately prevents many from developing stronger social connections and a sense of belonging.
Reclaim the Night marches are an opportunity for women to come together in a show of strength and unity to claim the right to walk without fear at night.
The march will be united, in peace and solidarity as a community with the belief that everyone has the right to feel safe and to BE safe. The march will present a united front against violence of all kinds, to advocate for those without a voice and to remember those whose voice has been silenced.
The Reclaim the Night March will be held on Friday 26 November with the walk weaving through the Nowra CBD to Jellybean Park.
The community are invited to meet at Nowra Showground at 5.30pm for a 6pm start. Speakers and entertainment will be at Jellybean Park from 6.45pm till 8pm. Everyone is welcome, this is an inclusive and safe space for all.
The Reclaim the Night movement involves demonstration marches demanding that women be able to move throughout public space at night safely, and to stop violence against women. The event will occur during the 16 day of activism which is an annual international campaign that kicks off on Thursday 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December
Shoalhaven City Council Mayor Amanda Findley is calling on the community to make their voice heard and participate in the march to help end violence against women.
"Sadly, violence against women remains a prevalent issue in our community and has many negative impacts on those who experience violence and their family members", Clr Findley.
"I am calling on the community to make their voice heard and participate in the Reclaim the Night March. We will march united in peace through the Nowra CBD to Jellybean Park", Clr Findley stated.
COVID safe measures will be put in place to keep the community safe. Registrations to attend the march are essential and can be made through Eventbrite.
