Sheffield Hallam holds Reclaim the Night march against gender-based violence

Sheffield Hallam Students’ Union has held a Reclaim the Night march in the city centre to mark the start of 16 days of activism against gender-based violence. 

The Reclaim the Night movement began in Leeds in 1977 as a response to the advice that women should stay indoors during the Yorkshire Ripper’s reign of terror. 

The march, held on Monday night, saw over 50 individuals take to the streets of Sheffield in a protest focused on reclaiming public spaces and highlighting concerns about women’s safety and equality. 

Laura Hollingsworth, President of the Hallam SU Women’s Society, told The Sheffield Tab: “We’re all marching today not just for ourselves but for our mothers, daughters, and friends.”

The event aimed to provide a powerful gathering focused on reclaiming public spaces to highlight women’s safety and equality. Attendees were encouraged to “Show up, speak out, be part of the change“.

Aimee, a Sheffield Hallam student and a SU Lead Rep, said: “Tonight means quite a lot to me, from personal experience as well. I think it’s so great to have women, men, and everyone here to come and do this.

“I think this is a bigger sense of community for everyone. It’s all about coming together to unite. Everyone being here together.”

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The march began at 6pm at the City Hall Steps with a speech from Abi Marchant, Officer for Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences and one of the event’s key organisers. “Tonight, let us remember that reclaiming the night is not just about physical space; it’s about emotional and psychological freedom,” she told attendees.

Those leading the event took followers up Division Street, circled down West Street, and back through the city centre. During the march, the crowd chanted: “Whatever we wear, wherever we go, yes means yes and no means no,” and “What do we want? Safe streets! When do we want them? Now!”

Following the march, the group gathered at the City Hall steps to hear speeches from Laura as well as the founders of Catcalls of Sheffield, an intersectional campaign against harassment in Sheffield. 

Flo from Catcalls of Sheffield told supporters: “We ourselves have been described as a women’s safety organisation, but we want to make it explicit that we stand in support of all, no matter their identity.”

Following the speeches, Maddie Bebbington, Campaigns Manager for Hallam SU, said: “We’ve reclaimed the night!”

Sheffield Hallam’s Reclaim the Night march followed the University of Sheffield’s Reclaim the Night protest last Saturday. The to events helped to kick off a series of events across the city as part of the United Nations’ 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, running from 25th November to 10th December.