High-heeled men stand with abused women and children
Nicole Regehr had some last-minute advice for the 200-plus men taking part in the Walk A Mile In Her Shoes event at The Pen Centre Saturday morning.
“Take it slow,” the event organizer said. “There is no prize for being the fastest. We have flats. We have slippers. It’s about a lot more than the heels. It’s a symbolic gesture.”
The gesture is a group of men marching to raise both funds and awareness for the issue of violence against women. Proceeds help support the work of Gillian’s Place, which provides a safe haven for abused women and children.
“Men are really raising their voices and standing together with women here today,” Regehr said. “That’s what needs to happen. It can’t be just women. It’s not a women’s issue. It is a societal issue. It’s a men’s issue.”
Walk A Mile In Her Shoes asks men to step into some heels and circle the mall. The event is in its 13th year and has raised almost $1 million.
The goal Saturday was $100,000 — the final total was $105,000.
Participants ranged in age from young teens to seniors. Some pushed daughters in strollers.
“It’s a busy day, and we always have a lot of fun,” Regehr said. “The guys have a good time just picking up their shoes, which go all the way up to size 16.
“It’s also very much a family event and a great way to get younger boys to learn about the effects of violence against women and children. What we want to do is stop the cycle of violence, and that starts with teaching young boys and girls about healthy relationships.”
The walk is an international event and the one in St. Catharines is one of the largest. Other organizations, some as far away as Zimbabwe, call seeking advice on how to run the event successfully.
There were about 200 men preregistered with others registering in the hours before Saturday’s official kickoff.
“We always have hundreds of spectators who cheer them on as well,” Regehr said. “I think it means a lot to the women in the community, particularly those who have utilized our services to know the community supports them in this way.
“Women when they are experiencing domestic violence often feel very isolated and very alone. It is important for them to know we support them and believe them.”