Walk a Mile in Her Shoes

As the old adage goes, you can’t understand someone until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes.

In Woodstock, 80 men took this literally as they donned women’s shoes to participate in the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes March, an event aimed at raising awareness about men’s role in ending sexual assault and violence against women.

National Employment Equity Co-ordinator for General Motors Sue Houston and Women's Advocate at CAW Local 88 at CAMI Automotive Anne MacMeekin organized the September 22 event.

"We raised consciousness in our community as well as $7,800 to go towards financially supporting the sexual assault services of the Women's Emergency Centre Oxford," said Houston. The centre offers sexual assault counseling and support, 24-hour help hotline, short-term housing and a women’s support group.

Participating men walked for several kilometres and were later met by family members and friends at a barbeque featuring live entertainment. Here men and women had the chance to discuss the many things men can do to prevent and bring a permanent end to violence against women in all forms.

"The March had as its participants, union leadership, city councilors, dads, brothers, grandpas all sorts of men concerned about the impact of this issue on the community,” said MacMeekin. “We heard repeatedly throughout the day that men were there for their daughters, moms and sisters.”

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