TAKE BACK THE NIGHT

A few weeks ago a few members of AWWOC had the pleasure of meeting up for Take Back The Night in Toronto, a march where women literally and figuratively take back the night.  This march is to end sexual violence against women; I went to support survivors of domestic and dating violence. To me taking back the night was about turning something disempowering into something empowering.  I loved that they gave out whistles, something that in any other setting would be considered a rape whistle, and we used it as a tool for breaking the silence around sexual violence. I've heard a disturbing amount of news reports about men assaulting a women where they demonize the women for dressing a certain way, walking around alone in a bad area or walking around at night. No woman ever asks to be raped, even if she's walking around late at night in a short skirt through a dark alley it still isn't in any way her fault. Sexualized violence needs to stop.

These are some of my favourite chants from TBTN! 

Hey Ho, Hey Ho, Patriarchy Has Got To Go!

Women Unite Take Back The Night – STOP RAPE NOW

Hey Mister Mister Keep Your Hands Off My Sister!!

They Say Stay Home We Say FUCK YOU!

It was really nice to feel a sense of unity and sisterhood with other women in Toronto. The best part of the night was after the march when everyone was in Dundas Square they put "I'm Every Woman" on and it was a giant dance party!  Take Back the Night is a national event go to: http://www.takebackthenight.org/  to find out about events near you!