The city centre streets of Cardiff will once again play host to the annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event next month.
Men of all ages and backgrounds are being encouraged to sign up for the walk on Friday, September 20 and to show their support for the campaign to eradicate violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence, by completing a mile walk around the city centre while wearing women’s shoes, although men may wear their own shoes if they wish to.
Now in its sixth year, the event is part of the White Ribbon campaign – an international movement started by men, to raise awareness of, and end, violence against women, and one of a number of events leading up to White Ribbon Day on November 25.
The walk is a partnership project between Cardiff Council, Cadwyn Housing Association and the Vale of Glamorgan Council and has grown more successful year on year.
This year’s event will start at Cardiff Castle and takes participants down Queen Street, Churchill Way, along Bridge Street and on to The Hayes before heading back to the Castle, via Church Street and High Street. The event will conclude at Cardiff Castle with key note speeches and refreshments.
Men who would like to take part can sign up to the event here www.walkinhershoes.wales
Cabinet Member for Social Care, Health and Wellbeing, Cllr Susan Elsmore, said:
“Cardiff Council is committed to ending violence and abuse against women and last year, with the Vale of Glamorgan Council, we were awarded White Ribbon Status, demonstrating that commitment.
“The Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event is part of the work we do to raise awareness of the issue and to highlight the services available to those affected by domestic violence. Although we want everyone to enjoy the event, there is, of course, a very serious message here and that is that violence against women is completely unacceptable.
“The walk really is an excellent way of sparking conversations about domestic violence, challenging attitudes and engaging men with the issue. We hope support for this year’s event will continue to grow and invite businesses and organisations in the city centre to get behind the event too.”
Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport and Cardiff Council’s White Ribbon Champion, Cllr Caro Wild, said:
“While anyone can be affected by violence, domestic abuse and sexual violence, evidence shows that women and girls are disproportionately affected so it’s important that men take a stance against all forms of violence towards women.
“Walk a Mile in Her Shoes is our opportunity to publicly do just that. As a White Ribbon Ambassador, I want to encourage more men – young and old alike, to join the growing numbers who are willing to stand up for everyone’s right to live a positive, independent life without being affected by violence and abuse.”
Kath Palmer, Chief Executive of Cadwyn Housing, said:
“The Walk a Mile in Her Shoes had humble beginnings with just a handful of men from Cadwyn taking part in the first walk in 2014. Now in its sixth year, along with our partners at Cardiff Council and the Vale of Glamorgan Council, we’re hoping to be joined by over 150 men in an effort to raise awareness of The White Ribbon Campaign to end violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence. Please come and join us to support this really important campaign.”
To accommodate everyone who wants to take part in next month’s walk, organisers are appealing for donations of women’s footwear in size 9 or above for men to wear on the day.
Donations can be made at the following locations:
- Any Cardiff Council Hubs, see here for full addresses: https://www.cardiff.gov.uk/ENG/resident/hubs-and-housing-offices/Pages/default.aspx
- Cardiff Council – Willcox House, Dunleavy Drive, CF11 0BA
- Cardiff Council – County Hall, Atlantic Wharf, CF10 4UW
- Cadwyn Housing, 197 Newport Road, Cardiff, CF24 1AJ
For more information about the White Ribbon Campaign or to sign-up to be an Ambassador please visit www.whiteribbon.org.uk
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse you can seek help and support from the Live Fear Free helpline: 0808 80 10 800 (24hr free confidential helpline) www.livefearfree.gov.wales
