With night falling ever earlier ("would madam like some dusk with her mid-afternoon tea?"), Londoners can be forgiven for feeling apprehensive whilst on their own, in dark streets and cold temperatures. Women in particular have been urged to take care when getting from A to B in London - it is sad but true that special campaigns for women's safety while travelling at night still have to be created.
Today is International Elimination of Violence Against Women Day and also the start of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence. The significance of 16 days is in linking International Elimination of Violence Against Women Day on 25th November with International Human Rights Day on 10th December. To mark International Elimination of Violence Against Women Day and the start of this period of activism, there will be a London Feminists' Network organised Reclaim the Night march for women only this evening starting from Soho Square and ending at the University of London Union in Euston.
Women marchers will assemble in Soho Square at 6pm and march together to show solidarity, support and action against violence towards women: this march is in honour of all the women who weren't heard or helped when they were harmed and for the women who might be at risk of being harmed. The aim is to say a loud "no" to violence against women and to show it won't be tolerated.
Reclaim the Night march, starts tonight 6.00pm at Soho Square. Please note: this is a women only march, male supporters are welcome at the 7.30pm rally taking place at the finishing point at the University of London Union, Malet Street. Traffic in this area will be affected between 6.00pm and 7.30pm.
