... and ain't i a woman?: Reclaim the night

On October 26 and 27 women around Australia will take part in the annual Reclaim the Night march, demanding an end to violence against women and children. Reclaim the Night marches in recent years have been attracting large numbers of women, many of them young, who have recently become involved in the women's liberation movement. The event is an opportunity to reach out to women of all ages, backgrounds and experience because violence is something that, unfortunately, affects all women. Many are survivors of violence in its many forms. Others have friends, family, co-workers or acquaintances who have been the victims of violence. And virtually all women know the fear of walking alone on the streets at night. The marches are held at night to remind us that women should not have to be afraid to be outdoors then, and that by working together we can make the streets safe — no matter what the time. Some of the demands at this year's marches are: for safer public space including public transport; improved support services for all survivors of sexual violence; judicial and police education about the reality of sexual violence against women; and law reform. It's important that the Reclaim the Night marches do more than recognise the reality of violence in so many women's lives. It's important that they also raise the broader causes of violence. These include the lack of choices for women in all areas of life, the low self-confidence of many which results from women's second class status in this society, and women's economic dependence on men, which forces many to remain in abusive situations or onto a poverty merry-go-round if they do leave. Also contributing to violence within the home are the increasing pressures on the majority of households in these times of decreasing wages and job security. Analysing the broader causes of violence does not excuse the violence that is taking place. All violence against women must stop. Achieving that, however, will mean tackling a whole range of issues related to gender inequality. This is the only way to avoid having to hold Reclaim the Night marches every year which highlight the problems — we want to eradicate violence against women in all its forms. As I join the march this year, I will be marching with tens of thousands of other women to express our anger and determination to liberate women from sexist violence. By taking action, we will be strengthened and better able to continue the struggle for women's rights to safety, freedom and justice. By Kath Gelber