The Women’s Resource Centre in Flin Flon is wondering if the region’s men are courageous enough to don feminine footwear and walk in public to raise awareness about violence against women.
As of last week, just three men had registered to participate in the 2018 “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” event as part of the International Men’s March to End Violence Against Women. The annual fundraiser – which benefits the Flin Flon Women’s Safe Haven – invites men to collect pledges as they put on high heeled shoes and walk a short distance.
This year, participants will walk alongside a float promoting the fundraiser. The display will join the city’s Canada Day parade festivities planned for July 1. Besides the pledges collected by walkers, several volunteers will also collect donations along the parade route to benefit the local shelter.
Women’s Resource Centre director Colleen Arnold says Walk a Mile in Her Shoes has been one of the largest fundraising events on the organization’s calendar, but has seen declining participation numbers in recent years. When the event was introduced in Flin Flon seven years ago, it raised about $11,000. That number has dropped to $5,000, covering a smaller portion of the $25,000 to $30,000 required to run the Flin Flon Safe Haven.
“The event generally helps us out a lot,” Arnold said.
“We’ll, hopefully, see people coming on board at the last minute, but the numbers have been declining in the past, so we thought with the float, the men could just sit on it if they think they can’t walk in the shoes.”
As important as the money, however, is the awareness campaign surrounding “Walk a Mile.” Arnold hopes the Canada Day celebration will garner a greater audience for their message.
“We’re trying to get people to talk about assault and sexual assault against women and girls and this is a fun way to get people talking about it. There will be many people with families out there and that sort of thing, so the kids might ask their parents what our float is for and begin having the hard conversations about the issue,” she said.
Men interested in participating in the parade can contact the Women’s Resource Centre at (204) 681-3105 to register. Every participant will receive shoes to wear, a t-shirt and a placard to carry along the parade route.
Walkers must raise a minimum of $75. The participant who collects the most money will be handed the prestigious Red Shoe Trophy.
