March against violence against women

Iqalungmiut are invited to join Qulliit, the Nunavut Status of Women Council, in an evening walk across town on Thursday, Sept. 30 as part of the international “Take Back the Night” movement.

Take Back the Night was originally a women-only event designed to protest random acts of sexual violence against women. In recent years, the message has broadened to include all varieties of violence against women.

Joyce Aylward, the executive director of Qulliit, hopes this event will help to raise awareness of the high level of violence against women in Nunavut from the grassroots level. She also hopes that being part of an international event will spread the message to Nunavummiut that “violence against women is not unique to Nunavut.”

“Stop the Violence” is the theme for the walk, which will depart from behind the Frobisher Inn at 6:30 and wend its way to Parish Hall where there will be a coffee house featuring speakers, entertainment and refreshments. A simultaneous event will be held in Apex, with details to be announced.

Men are also invited to join the march, but only women will hold candles.

“This is not only a women’s issue, this is a community issue,” Aylward says. “It’s not enough for men to not do the violence themselves. They have to take a stand against it.”

Communities across Nunavut are receiving their share of 10,000 Stop the Violence stickers printed for the occasion, as well as information kits describing what individuals can do to help.

So far, individuals in 22 communities have committed to hosting their own community events. Twenty-four people in Chesterfield Inlet held their own march last Friday, led by Yvonne Aggark.