Chance to Reclaim the Night

Women invited to march

People are being invited to march through Stirling as part of the Reclaim the Night women’s movement.

The annual event takes place around the world and originated in the ’70s in response to attitudes of violence against women.

And with the dawn of the ‘Me Too’ movement this year’s event is likely to be particularly significant.

On Friday, December 7 Stirling’s third annual Reclaim the Night march, meets at 6.30pm at Stirling Castle esplanade for a 7pm start.

There will also be a Christmas Market taking place in the Green Lounge at Stirling Indoor Bowling Club, Riverside, from 5.309pm.

The market will display the work of female craftworkers and raise money for Forth Valley Rape Crisis.

Reclaim the Night started in the UK in 1977, when women marched through the streets in Leeds to protest a nighttime curfew on women – the police’s response to the Yorkshire Ripper murders.

Rather than asking men to stay at home, women were told to remain inside in order to be safe from violence.

Forty years later women still take part in the march to demand justice, protest against rape and sexual violence, and support a woman’s right to walk the streets without fear.

Bannockburn ward councillor Maureen Bennison, who is Stirling Council’s public safety convener, said: “Reclaim the Night is open to everyone who wants to say a firm ‘no’ to all forms of violence, controlling behaviours and abuse men use towards women.

“Marches such as these have taken place across the world for over 40 years to highlight the fact that women and girls have a right not to be abused and not to be raped.

“Marches and protests like Reclaim the Night empower women and girls to challenge everyday sexism. It also gives men an opportunity to look at their own behaviours towards women.

“It’s a reality check that women and girls will not tolerate violence or abuse towards them.”

Those taking part in the march can bring glow sticks, lights and placards to help make their presence felt.

To support the work of Forth Valley Rape Crisis, join the march or go to https://www.justgiving. com/forthvalleyrapecrisiscentre or by texting “FVRC18 £5” (or £1000 if you like!) to 70070.

For more information about the march go to www.forthvalleyrapecrisis. org.uk/reclaim-the -night.

Empower girls to challenge everyday sexism