Reclaiming the night

Reclaiming the night

By Rachel Evans

MELBOURNE — Supporters of the Reclaim the Night collective here packed out Cinema Nova to watch Career Girls on October 2. The screening, attended by 220 people, raised much-needed funds and publicised this year's march and rally against violence against women.

The 1997 Reclaim the Night collective has embraced a broader definition of violence than previous collectives. Sarah Lantz, a collective member, explains, "Violence limits women's choices, our control over our own bodies and lives ... It includes the trafficking of women, forced sterilisation, homophobia and racism, misogynist population programs that shift environmental responsibility onto Third World women, militarism and the exploitation of human rights.

"These are all part of the same system where certain groups benefit from the oppression and exploitation of others. This is the spirit in which we are approaching this year's march and rally."

The collective decided that men should be invited to listen to the speakers at the rally, but that the march should remain women-only. Speakers will include activists for Aboriginal rights and against racism, from the women in prisons campaign, and from unions and campus. East Timorese and Indonesian activists will also speak, and one minute's silence will be held to remember those who died opposing violent regimes in the region. For march details telephone (03) 9329 1277.

From GLW issue 293