Renfrewshire communities to ‘Reclaim The Night’ as part of annual campaign

Renfrewshire Communities to ‘Reclaim the Night’ in Annual Campaign

Renfrewshire residents are gearing up to participate in the Reclaim The Night march, an annual event aimed at ending 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 partners, the march is held as part of the United Nations’ global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign.

Scheduled for Wednesday, November 27, in Paisley town centre, the event will see hundreds gathering outside the University of the West of Scotland entrance on Paisley’s High Street at 5.45pm, with the march commencing at 6pm. Pipers will lead the crowd down the High Street towards Dunn Square, where a choir will perform as part of a memorial event to honour women and girls who have fallen victim to violence. The evening will conclude with refreshments and entertainment at Paisley Town Hall, welcoming attendees of all ages, with those under 16 required to be accompanied by an adult.

Renfrewshire’s Provost Lorraine Cameron highlighted the importance of Reclaim The Night in raising awareness about gender-based violence and ensuring the safety of all individuals within the community. Concurrently, Paisley will witness an ‘Orange the World’ campaign, supported by Soroptimist International Great Britain & Ireland, as part of the 16 Days of Activism, aiming to draw attention to the prevalence of violence against women and girls on a national and global scale.

The event also serves as a platform to emphasise the need for collective action against gender-based violence, with organisations such as Scottish Domestic Abuse, Abused Men in Scotland, and the council’s Women and Children First team offering vital support to those experiencing abuse. With alarming statistics revealing the stark reality of gender-based violence, the call for prevention, protection, and prosecution becomes all the more urgent.

In light of these initiatives and campaigns, Renfrewshire stands united in its stance against gender-based violence, sending a powerful message that safety and security should be universal rights for all individuals. As the community gathers to ‘Reclaim the Night’, the hope is to create a safer and more inclusive environment for everyone.