Ending violence against women

“WOMEN ARE OFTEN told to be extra careful and take precautions when going out at night. In some parts of the world, even today, women are not allowed out at night.

So when women struggle for freedom, we must start at the beginning by fighting for freedom of movement, which we have not had and do not now have.

We must recognize that freedom of movement is a precondition for anything else. It comes before it freedom of speech cannot in fact exist.”

The quote above came from a reading by Anne Pride at a rally in Pittsburgh in 1977.

In her speech she voiced the phrase, “Take Back the Night.” The very first known march began in Belgium, but was called, “Reclaim the Night.”

The first known event in the United States was held in San Francisco in 1978.

The above quote is long, but explains women’s position today in society much better than I ever could. But I can certainly add where it applies to my experience of being a woman.

Women will often wait until a female friend or family member, who is heading to a dark parking lot, is safely on their way.

Women will get their keys out and secure them in hand when going to their cars alone at night; this is sometimes also done in daylight as well.

We somehow tend to think that because women “can go to work,” we have somehow reached an equal footing in society.

But the quote above should drive home that this is not the case.

One cannot have limited freedom, yet know she has as much power and freedom as those that benefit from the unequal gender hierarchy.

Now if I were a man, I might take offense to that last statement. But don’t most men tell their sisters and female friends to be careful going home?

Don’t men often walk women to their cars at night?

Whether one sees it or not, men are in control. That is, the power at the highest levels in government, employment, the legal system and so on, is largely controlled by men.

In this country, that means white men, specifically.

As a woman I have mixed feelings about all of it because I want to be able to move freely, day or night, in alleyways and old buildings, in a place of work or on campus.

So when a man offers to accompany me, I, in some ways, resent the offer of an escort because it reminds me of the potential danger women face every day.

I want to be able to walk freely wherever I go.

I imagine many men have felt that sort of reaction from women and may not understand the mixed messages from some of us.

I, of course, do not speak for all women.

But I cannot tell you how many times I’ve privately worried for the young women on campus.

Rape still happens; if not on campus, then near campus.

I know of someone who was attacked while walking across the street from campus.

Fortunately, some people heard her screams and came to help her.

And while one does not have to be young to be attacked, in the case of rape, I think it is safe to say that young women are the targets.

But I understand that would make a good argument.

Perhaps I will write about that one day, but not here; not now.

Tonight everyone is invited to the “Take Back the Night,” rally. It starts about 7 p.m., in the Peace Garden and Free Speech Area.

There will be a candlelight march. There are great speakers who can inspire us.

In the end, time is given for anyone who wants to stand up and perhaps, for the first time, talk about their own experiences of sexual assault.

Sometimes it is a chance to talk about an assault against one of their loved ones. Sometimes, men speak about their own abuse.

I encourage all of you to come and feel what an empowering experience it is to see solidarity and to hear the stories.

It is a time of healing for some and raised awareness for others.

These events continue to be held in one form or another across the globe, where women can unite in solidarity, whether we are physically together or oceans apart.

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