Renfrewshire communities are gearing up to participate in the annual ‘Reclaim The Night’ march as part of a campaign to end domestic abuse, harassment, and violence against women and young people. Organised by Renfrewshire Council’s Community Learning and Development team, Women and Children First team, and its partners, the event is a local initiative in support of the United Nations’ global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign.
The march is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, November 27, in Paisley town centre, with participants gathering at 5.45pm outside the University of the West of Scotland entrance on Paisley’s High Street. The procession, led by pipers, will move down the High Street towards Dunn Square where a choir will perform in memory of women and girls who have lost their lives to violence. The event will continue with refreshments and entertainment at Paisley Town Hall, welcoming attendees of all ages, with children under 16 accompanied by an adult.
Provost Lorraine Cameron of Renfrewshire expressed the significance of Reclaim The Night in emphasising that violence against women and young people is unacceptable and that safety from gender-based violence is vital. The council’s commitment to collaborating with communities and partners to ensure a secure environment for all residents and visitors was underscored.
In conjunction with the march, Paisley will also participate in ‘Orange the World’, a global initiative led by women’s charity, Soroptimist International Great Britain & Ireland, marking the UN’s 16 Days of Activism. The campaign seeks to raise awareness of the prevalence of gender-based violence, with statistics showing alarming rates of violence against women and girls globally and nationally.
President of SIGBI, Ruth Healey, highlighted the urgent need for collective action to address the growing issue of gender-based violence, advocating for a multi-faceted approach encompassing prevention, protection, and prosecution. Alongside the events, individuals facing abuse are urged to seek support from organisations such as Scottish Domestic Abuse, Abused Men in Scotland, and the council’s Women and Children First team.
The campaign serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing efforts needed to combat gender-based violence and create safer communities for all individuals, especially women and young people. The Reclaim The Night march and ‘Orange the World’ initiative in Renfrewshire demonstrate the collective commitment to ending violence and promoting a culture of respect and safety for all.