"You can't really understand another person's experience until you've walked a mile in their shoes."
Have you ever seen men in high heels? It's quite a sight!
In 2001, Frank Baird came up with the original idea of “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” - an International Men's March to Stop Rape, Sexual Assault and Gender Violence. The idea was to create a “united gender movement” where men would be a part of the solution to ending sexual violence. Baird wanted to inform the world that men could make a difference by making valuable contributions to stopping this form of violence.
“I’m hoping this kind of oddity will inspire people to think little bit more to raise awareness of violence against women and sexual assault.”
The race contributes to educating as well as raising funds and informing the community that services are available for recovery. It also allows men to make their voices heard and show their support. It demonstrates that they are willing to be courageous partners with women in making the world a safer place.
“I’m walking because it’s the right thing to do. It’s important for us as men to change our perspective and engage in the issue of sexual violence, by participating in positive events like Walk a Mile. Then we can start to understand this issue and how it affects so many people we care about. And – I also look forward to experiencing what it’s like to be almost 7 feet tall for a few hours!” a participant comments.
The Men's March started out small in 2001 and has grown each year, with an increasing number of participants as well as crowds cheering. In addition, marches are now being held in multiple locations across the USA and Canada and funds raised benefit a wide array of rape crisis centres.
The race, where men, joined by women and their families as well as local celebrities and prominent members of the community, walk a mile in women’s high heeled shoes, is quite an original and amusing way to rally the community to take action, raise awareness and protest about a very serious issue. It also encourages people to discuss gender relations and the sensitive topic of sexual violence. The subject is of concern to those women who were assaulted, the men who care about them, their families, and even their co-workers and the community at large. "When we walk in these high heels, it is a symbolic gesture, that we are all in support."
Several YWCAs have jumped on the bandwagon and organised very successful “Walk a Mile in her Shoes” races. The YWCA of Silicon Valley on April 27, 2010 organised a successful walk to raise funds but more importantly to raise awareness about sexualised violence against women. City officials, university students, community groups all came out and gave their support even amids the rainy weather and the date has already been set for next year’s walk.
Another example is the YWCA of Calgary, where in 2009 “160 men with burning calf muscles, their toes pinched together, their steps impeded by shoes too small, too tight or even too big” marched almost one mile, from city hall to the Holiday Inn, raising over $40,000.
As Lynn Zimmer, Executive Director of the YWCA, put it: “It's an event that inspires people, and offers comfort to those who need to use the agency's services. Domestic abuse is a community issue and it's an issue that can be hard for men to deal with because of the anger and shame they may feel over the issue. “
