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HP OPINION A STEP TOWARD ENDING GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE ALL ARE INVITED TO JOIN HOPE IN HIGH HEELS CAMPAIGN, WRITES LAURIE HEPBURN LAURIE HEPBURN Column When September starts, we think of two things — the beginning of the school year and Hope in High Heels. For the last two years, we walked together — but separately — as we orga- walks throughout the communi- ty during one week in late September. We are so grateful to all of you who gathered friends, family and col- leagues to walk down your streets and neighbour- hoods to show your sup- port in ending violence against women — with high heels or not. year, we bring you a art event, which gives you the opportunity to walk throughout the week of Sept. 18 to 24 or join us in downtown Burlington on Sept. 24in person. During these last two years, we have redesigned the event to include every- one as participants (not just boys and men) and to Snelude the option of wear- ing the heels. However, this does re- main our main campaign, to highlight the impor- tance of boys and men standing up against gen- der-based violence joining us as allies in vio- lence prevention. men have been doing this work for many years, and now more boys and menare getting involved in women's organizations and the prevention work that is much needed to make a chal It is important to have meaningful conversations “We know that by engaging boys and men in the crucial conversations and the actions toward prevention, we can make change as a whole." with each other and share our advocacy as individu- als who understand that gender-based violence re- mains an awful and often tragic and traumatic reali- ty for many. Through our public ed- ucation program and our Male EngageMENt Pro- gram, we address gender equality and the positive roles that boys and men can play in preventing and ending violence against wom We ‘know that by engag- ing boys and men in the crucial conversations and the actions toward preven- tion, we can make change as a whole. We are inviting our community — from busi- nesses to corporations e families and friends — join us in standing up and walking for a world where women and girls are not living in fear in their rela- tionships. Walk with us on Sept. 24. To help us make a change, register at www.haltonwomen- splace.com/hihh or con- tact Kaitlin McKenna at kmckenna@haltonwo- mensplace.com. Laurie Hepburn is the executive director at Hal- ton Women's Place. She can be reached at Lhep- OPINION SEND US YOUR LETTERS T0 THE EDITOR values the opinions of its readers, and the communi- ty at large. With that said, we wel- > come your letters to the ed- 8 itor on all matters that im- ~ pact area residents. We ask that letters be no more than 275 words, and include the full name and town of the writer. Your address and tele- phone number must also be included for verification purposes only. We do not publish anon- ymous letters. Letters will be edited or rejected for of- fensive content, factual er- rors, legal issues or space restrictions. 2 8 =] 5 HE & w 8 3 g Send your letters to splace.com. land.com. A PLAC TO te bc. CHOOSE YOUR LIFESTYLE. INDEPENDENT LIVING, SUPPORTIVE LIVING AND SHORT TERM STAYS DELMANOR Glen Abbey Inspired Retirement Living™ 1459 NOTTINGHILL GATE, OAKVILLE 905-469-3232 | DELMANOR.COM je\deg ‘Aepsiny, | seneeg eI1AxeO | 2 zoz't | g i