Reclaim the Night March to kick off 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based violence

The Reclaim the Night March will kick off the Sheffield Students’ Union 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based violence campaign.

This year’s march is on Saturday 23rd November, and is open to women, marginalised genders and carers and dependents of all genders. The main aims of the 2024 Sheffield Reclaim the Night march are to fight for increased street lighting, as well as increased and improved services for those who have experienced sexual assault and harassment.

The aim of this annual march is to oppose violence against women and marginalised genders, remember the history that led to the first march, and reclaim the streets of Sheffield.

Reclaim the Night started in Leeds in 1977, to protest the murders of several women by Peter Sutcliffe and the victim-blaming response to these murders. Police had suggested that women should stay indoors, so they took to the streets with signs such as “No curfew on women – curfew on men”.

The group will gather at Sheffield Cathedral at 17:45pm, for pre-march speeches. The march will begin at 18:15pm and the route for the march is included below. The march will finish at 19:00pm at the University of Sheffield Students’ Union concourse, for a one minute silent vigil with candles to show respect for those who have lost their lives as a result of gender-based violence. The march is wheelchair friendly and there will be stewards in high-vis jackets to assist you at the march with any concerns you may have during, before or after the March. The march can also be a triggering event for some people, and so the stewards are also available for support.

Following the march, join us at Coffee Revs for free snacks, hot drinks, and insightful talks from various speakers on safety issues and the work of local charities and activists. This will also be an opportunity to learn about the ways you can become involved in the movement. This event is open to anyone, from 19:00pm till 21:00pm.

If you have any questions please email Eloise, the Women’s Officer at the University of Sheffield Student’s Union: womens.officer@sheffield.ac.uk or instagram.

Please register your interest for the march and post-march event.

Trigger warning: there may be mentions of sexual harassment and abuse, domestic abuse, rape and gender-based violence at the March and talks.

Banner making sessions for the March: