Meet 5 women who went to make things right and Reclaim the Night

Tomorrow marks the start of the UN's global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign, which begins each year on 25 November (the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) and runs until 10 December (Human Rights Day).  

As groups in the Illawarra and around the world prepare to throw their support behind this cause, two rising talents at the Illawarra Flame, UOW graduate Tyneesha Williams and student journalist Selina Sali, share their report on the Reclaim the Night Illawarra rally on 30 October. 

Organised by Women Illawarra and Relationships Australia, with support from local activists and organisations, it was the 10th peaceful march aiming to raise awareness of violence against women and children.

This year almost 200 people gathered for the start at Andrew Lysaght Park, near WIN Stadium, where they were greeted by the beats of a local women’s drumming group before marching to Flagstaff Lighthouse. Hold the banner and leading the march were activists Tabitha Acret and Mercedes Nugent, Wollongong MP Paul Scully and Lord Mayor Tania Brown, while a crowd that included women, men and children carried signs and chanted slogans such as 'Don't be silent, Stop the violence'. 

Five marchers shared their thoughts with the Flame.

Sonya

"I'm the program manager for Carinya Women and Children's Service, and I'm here to highlight the violence against women and children … I'm really dedicated, and I'm really lucky because when I was young, my mum helped start Elsie's, the first women's refuge in Australia, and I've carried that power on to us."

Samantha

"I like to participate in these rallies because I am a victim-survivor, so it means a lot when I see people put in a lot of effort. I have helped organise some rallies, and it's a movement that I am very passionate about because we do have such an epidemic in the country."

Louise

"I work for the Salvation Army, and once a year we come out and show our support. So we work in a domestic and family violence service; it’s a part of the work, but also it's just a good cause."

Tania Brown, Lord Mayor of Wollongong

"I'm very pleased to be here tonight to Reclaim The Night. It's a very important night in our city's calendar, one where we stand together and say that we are not going to tolerate domestic violence anymore – but also to show support to families who have been through this tragedy and are suffering. We want them to know that they aren't alone."

Mel, a drummer

"I'm here to support the DV rally – it gets to my heart when I come here and playing this [event] actually means a lot to me."

On Tuesday, November 25, Women Illawarra will hold a Rose Vigil to honour those lost to gendered violence in 2025, an event to mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, from 1-2pm in McCabe Park in Wollongong.

Read more: Voices for change arise as marchers Reclaim the Night