Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/988313
action was integral to making their voices heard on a national scale. Despite some gains, women were still underrepresented in legislatures and the House of Commons, and lacked the numbers to raise awareness for topics like sexual assault. Take Back the Night Marches provided women with an opportunity to raise awareness, find support and voice their frustration with the continued violence that women faced in society. These gatherings began in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1975 after the murder of a young woman walking home alone at night. In 1981, the Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres agreed to hold marches across Canada that September. These marches became powerful spaces where women could support each other and raise community awareness about the continued prevalence of sexual assault and violence against women in communities. Take Back the Night marches are still held in cities across Ontario – from Windsor to Thunder Bay. Canadian women continue to be active in standing up in international solidarity for equality and defence of human rights. On January 21, 2017, people in Canadian cities and towns joined in the Women's March. Toronto's march was the largest in the country, with over 60,000 protestors converging on Queen's Park and Nathan Phillips Square. (On January 20, 2018 Women's Marches were held in 38 communities across Canada, a 20 per cent increase over the number held in 2017.) This meaningful support for the continued advancement of gender equality and against oppression demonstrated that while the struggle for gender equality is not yet over and remains a powerful force to be reckoned with. The stage is still set for a society equally enjoyed by everyone, and through activism and solidarity we may hope that other practices and attitudes will finally die off. Allison Ward is a researcher with the Trust's Acquisitions and Conservations Services Unit. Women's March in Toronto in January 2018. Photo: Tanja Tiziana.