It’s critical to have dialogue about sexualized violence because, when hidden away, this violence cannot be cured, according to organizers of Walk A Mile in Her Shoes.
Unfortunately, it is often difficult to get people talking about sexualized violence.
So in an attempt continue this conversation Frank Baird hosted the first Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event in 2001, providing men the opportunity to stand in solidarity with the survivors of sexualized violence.
The event has since grown international in scale and has raised millions of dollars for rape crisis centres, domestic violence shelters and other programs which aim to support survivors of sexualized violence.
The Howe Sounds Women’s Centre Society is inviting men to participate in Squamish’s ninth annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event.
Before the event, participants raise money to support the Howe Sound Women’s Centre and on Sept. 23 the men walk a symbolic mile down Cleveland Avenue – taking a visible political stance against gender-based sexualized violence in a pair of red high heels.
Family, friends and community members are encouraged to march alongside the men in solidarity with women and children impacted by violence.
Megan Reynolds, executive director of the Howe Sounds Women Centre Society, told The Chief that the event is a great way to bring the conversation about sexualized violence forward while also raising funds to support survivors.
Reynolds said that the event is a rare opportunity to show men that they have a role in the movement against violence. She says the event will remind men that they can make daily efforts to step in when they hear conversations among other men that celebrate physical or verbal violence against women, along with some of the gendered norms which allow this violence to continue.
Last year, participants raised almost $10,000, which went towards supporting Howe Sound Women Centre’s operations, a press release reads.
Participants of the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event are encouraged to register in advance to secure the correct shoe size. For more information including pledge forms, visit www.hswc.ca/walkamile.
