Men and Reclaim the Night
www.isis.aust.com/rtn/mengrresp.htm

 A story from Albury:

"A man was walking on the sidelines of the march handing out white ribbons and information about Men Against Sexual Assault (MASA). Some of the women asked him to join in and he said 'No, its a march for women and children.' He was doing as much work handing out information on the sidelines." (Trish)

One of the major concerns raised by women, closely related to the objectives of the event, is the issue of men's participation within Reclaim The Night.  There is a diversity of opinions, within and between groups, about whether or not men should be involved, and to what extent.  

"That is one of the issues that different women have different opinions about. And that was a difficult one to work through." Sarah, Bathurst

"Think about what you are trying to achieve and how best to achieve it as you work through this issue." Janne, Wollongong

"A lot of energy was spent discussing or contending with comments about men's involvement and it takes energy and focus away from what RTN is really meant for." Jodie, Moruya

"We live in a conservative rural community so anything with women is labelled 'separatist' or 'feminist'. So each year we have to counteract the issue of men's involvement. Having a statement of philosophy prevents spending time on men's issues and taking away from the organisation.  RTN is only for 2 hours a year and we want it to be a women's initiative. The philosophical statement makes it clear it's not about excluding men."  Wendy, Albury

What groups have done

  • Men invited to line the streets in support of the march.

  • Women to march.  The whole community to rally. 

  • Men invited to line the streets in support of the march &/or make donations to the Women's Centre. 

  • Men invited to line the streets in support and to attend the celebrations after the march.

  • Men are invited to line the streets in support or to walk on the footpath beside the march.

  • Men are invited to participate in both the march and celebrations.

  • Men are invited to march and to wear white ribbons.

  • Men invited to march at the back of the march under a 'men against violence' banner.

  • Welcome men and children's participation in the march with safe space for women in the march and in the audience.

  • Keep women and children only, including trying to have a female media crew and female police officers head the march.



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