One of the organisers of an annual march has called on Renfrewshire residents to get involved in the international campaign against gender-based violence.
The Reclaim the Night March, now in its 18th year in Paisley, aims to highlight how violence against women and girls (VAWG) is a human rights issue which affects women of all ages, abilities, classes and backgrounds.
We previously reported that the march is set to take place on Wednesday evening (November 27) in Paisley’s town centre, with people asked to meet from 5.45pm outside the University of the West of Scotland entrance on Paisley's High Street.
Louise Moore, one of the organisers of the annual march – and the first coordinator of the council’s Women and Children First team – said the march is about “local voices joining the global call” to see VAWG as a human rights issue.
“It’s a collaborative event made by everyone for everyone,” she told the Gazette.
READ MORE: 'Enough is enough': Hundreds join march through town centre
The march involves grassroots work undertaken by local groups and locally based national organisations as well as the council’s Women and Children First team and Community Learning and Development programme.
Louise said that over the last few years, more groups and organisations working with young people have taken part in the march, such as the Youth Services team.
“The work they do alongside our schools to help young people know what a healthy relationship is vital and aims to lower violence in relationships for future generations,” she said.
Hundreds of people are expected to turn up to the march, as Louise also called on men’s organisations and individuals to get involved.
“We know that gender norms place unhealthy and impossible standards of what masculinity is on men,” Louise said.
READ MORE: Hundreds to gather in Paisley to march against domestic abuse and violence
She added that men face additional risks for not meeting that “standard”, and that the campaign is a “key opportunity” for men to engage in preventative, awareness-raising work on gender inequality.
Louise continued: “By joining the 16 Days campaign, men can help change the narrative around gender inequality and how it impacts all genders.”
The march starts at 6pm. Pipers will lead the crowd down the High Street towards Dunn Square where a choir will sing as part of the memorial event to remember women and girls who have lost their lives to violence.
Afterwards, refreshments and entertainment will take place in Paisley Town Hall.
Reclaim the Night first began in Renfrewshire in 2008 and is part of the council’s programme of events for 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, a campaign by the United Nations (UN).
The UN campaign runs from November 25 – International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women – until December 10, which marks Human Rights Day.
Anyone suffering physical, mental and emotional abuse by a partner or family member is urged to reach out for help and support from the following organisations:
- Scottish Domestic Abuse: call 0800 027 1234 or text/WhatsApp 07401288595
- Abused Men in Scotland: call 03300 949 395
- Renfrewshire Council's Women and Children First team: call 0300 300 0345
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