reclaim the night
Yeah, yeah, we’ve all heard about Slutwalk. And some of you may remember a few months back when we here at Lip were likewise commenting on it; whether we were going, or not going. It was controversial and it divided communities, not least of all feminists.
But another event that is, some might say, comparatively far more aligned with women’s rights/lib movements is, Reclaim the Night (also known as Take Back the Night).
Reclaim the Night began in the late 1970s, and has since evolved into a movement around the world, where women join together to march, rally, or simply find solidarity with other women to protest sexual violence against women.
Ashleigh Lustica is currently interning at the YWCA of South Australia, who are organising Adelaide’s Reclaim the Night this year, and she explain why the event resonates so strongly with her.
‘Reclaim the Night is the opportunity for all women to get involved,’ she says. ‘I feel like we’ve most definitely all experienced violence in some way … going out and being judged for what we’re wearing or being yelled at or being beeped at. I feel like Reclaim the Night resonates with everyone so for me, it was the opportunity to feel strong and to feel passionate about that and for that to be allowed and accepted.’
Reclaim the Night has typically excluded men from its protests and celebrations, but the YWCA, in response to community views, has decided to make SA’s 2011 event one for all genders, as well as having a picnic instead of a march. Although this has drawn some criticism, and Lustica has defended the Y in response, she nonetheless explains why it has historically been a women’s only event.
‘I personally feel that what Reclaim the Night actually means, it’s [that] we don’t need chaperones. If we’re going to reclaim the streets and we’re going to feel safe about it and comfortable about it, why do men need to be there? They don’t. This is about society accepting that women have the right to organise and to participate in things just for women.
‘[But] men do have to be part of the solution, and that’s why I really do love White Ribbon, but the special uniqueness about Reclaim the Night is the fact that it’s autonomous and the fact that women get to reclaim and have the right to [do so] without men having any responsibility or participation in it.’
However, this shouldn’t deter any male would-be attendees to the SA event, and Reclaim the Night 2011 is sure to be a fantastic evening across the country.
‘Part of it is it’s a bit of a celebration, that’s what I love about Reclaim the Night,’ tells Lustica. ‘Talking about it and discussing it and really just enjoying being out. But just for me, it’s all a bit of a celebration of being a female and knowing that I have the right to do what I want and to reclaim the streets.’
Check out the details below for info about Reclaim the Night in your city!
ADELAIDE
Adelaide’s RtN is happening in Tarndanyangga (Victoria Square) from around 6.30pm onwards. The Federal Minister for the Status of Women, Kate Ellis, will be one of the speakers, and there will also be live music and other entertainment. Men are welcome. Check out their facebook page here.
BRISBANE
The Brisbane event will start in Brisbane Square at 6.30pm and the group will march to West End. You can find out more in their facebook event page here. A Brisbane Feminist Collective has also recently been established!
CANBERRA
In Canberra, Reclaim the Night is happening at Garema Place, and it is part of the ACT Women’s Services Network Summer of Respect. Check out the facebook event here.
MELBOURNE
Melbourne’s RtN took place tonight, October 27, and looked to be an amazing event!
NEWCASTLE
The theme for this year is “dress loud” and the event is from 6-9pm at the Tram Sheds in the Foreshore Park, Newcastle East. The organisers are hoping to create a festival like atmosphere, you can find out more here!
PERTH
Perth’s RtN starts at the Perth Cultural Centre (near the State Library) – more information to be found on their facebook event page here.
SYDNEY
The Sydney march begins at 6m at Town Hall and will end at Martin Place. The facebook event is here!
TOWNSVILLE
Starting at Strand Park at 5.30pm, the Townsville RtN march will be for women only, but men are welcome to join the rally. Wear your red shirts! See their facebook page for more details.
