Reclaim the Night March and March 4 Justice unite
Published on 25 February 2022
Update: Location change to Nowra School of Arts due to wet weather conditions predicted
Council in partnership with Shoalhaven Women’s Health Centre, International Women’s Day Shoalhaven, and March 4 Justice South Coast, are inviting the community to take part in a march to advocate for an end to violence against women on the Friday, 4 March 2022 at Nowra Showground.
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.
One in three Australian women (30.5%) have experienced physical violence. One in five Australian women (18.4%) have experienced sexual violence. One in three 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 Australian Institute, 87% 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 a public space negates the physical and mental health benefits. It ultimately prevents many from developing stronger social connections and a sense of belonging.
Reclaim the Night marches are an opportunity for women to unite in a show of strength and unity to claim the right to move through public spaces safely. 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.
With postponement of the Shoalhaven Reclaim the Night March in 2021, organisers have been fortunate to be joined by the March 4 Justice South Coast Movement, who remain united to create equality and justice in Australian Society. This follows the creation of the March 4 Justice grassroots movement after more than 110,000 women and allies marched in 2020 across Australia to demand action.
March 4 Justice aims to transform social attitudes so every person is safe in their homes, their communities and their workplaces, give a voice to women and allies in Australia, support safe and fair workplace practices and advocate for systemic change that encourages a society to be built upon equality.
The March 4 Justice movement encourages local groups around the country to organise opportunities for supporters of #Marchwhereyouare. The purpose is to keep the issue in the public eye and to demand credible, practical measures to bring about change. This includes the implementation of the 55 recommendations of the Australian Human Rights Commission’s 2020 Respect@Work report, the enactment of a federal Gender Equity Act and increased funding to raise gendered violence prevention to world’s best practice.
The Reclaim the Night March 4 Justice March will be held on Friday 4 March 2022 with a walk weaving through the Nowra CBD to the Nowra School of Arts. The community are invited to meet at Nowra Showground at 05:30 PM for a 06:00 PM start. If the weather doesn’t ease then the community are invited to come straight to the Nowra School of Arts at 06:30 PM to join together in a call for action. Speakers and entertainment will be at the Nowra School of Arts from 06.45 PM till 08:00 PM, with a very special performance from Tayah Larsen, a young local talented female artist. Everyone is welcome, this is an inclusive and safe space for all.
Shoalhaven City Council Mayor Amanda Findley is calling on the community to make their voice heard by participating in the Reclaim the Night March, in solidarity, 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.”
“The march will unite us as a community to present a front against violence of all kinds, to advocate for those without a voice and to remember those whose voice was silenced.”
“We will walk, united in peace, through the Nowra CBD to Nowra School of Arts.” Mayor Findley said.
For more information, and to register for the March visit Council's Reclaim the Night event page.