After being unable to attend last years Reclaim The Night, we were very excited to be back taking part in 2024 and found that the event was very well attended by lots of different local groups including the Womens Institute, Northamptonshire Domestic Abuse Service and of course Northamptonshire Rape Crisis centre who lead the event yearly. 

The route began from the Co-op on Barry Road and went down Wellingborough road, through St Giles Street and past the Guildhall, ending at the new market square where there were tables set up with resources from local services.

At the end of the march there were members from the NRC and other local groups speaking about the importance of this event and the epidemic of male violence being faced in our society. The importance of events like this was proven when the speakers at the end of the march were being heckled by a few men shouting about why they weren’t being represented by events like this. There were some really powerful moments, including a poem written by a local woman, the two minute silence for Harshita Brella, and ending with the song Reclaim the Night by Peggy Seeger played on the loudspeaker. 

What we loved about this years event

It was a great sized march with plenty in attendance from local groups and as individuals, with a wide range of ages. The atmosphere was great and it really felt as though everyone was looking out for each other plus the stewards did an excellent job of keeping the march together and getting us all across roads and through the route safely and successfully. The stewards were also excellent with how they dealt with the small number of hecklers and did a really good job of keeping them far away from the group so the speakers could continue without interruption.

What we would like to see in future events

• Bringing back the list of names – we felt this was a really powerful and important tool that shows just how pervasive the issue of violence against women and girls is in this country. It was a shame to not have it this year.
• Announced route in advance or at least the ending point to aid in the accessibility of the event. As only the starting point of the route was announced in advance over instagram, it is difficult for those who are unable to walk the full route but would still like to hear the speakers at the end as they didn’t know where they needed to be for the march end.
• More people in the march and at the end point! We want to see this event continue to grow and be well attended year after year.

We would love to see the conversation continue with events like this so would love if anyone who hasn’t before, would consider attending next year. This event also launches 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence which is a worldwide campaign which challenges violence against women and girls and highlights it as the biggest human rights violation in the world currently.

To keep up with Northamptonshire Rape Crisis and to see what else they have coming up for the 16 Days of Activism, make sure to follow them on their instagram and visit their website.

Websites and links

UN Women UK: https://www.unwomenuk.org/
Northamptonshire Rape Crisis: https://www.northamptonshirerapecrisis.co.uk/
Northamptonshire Domestic Abuse Service: https://www.ndas.co/
Eve Northampton: https://eveda.org.uk/