Women unite to reclaim the night

RECLAIM the Night 2025 returns to the Northern Rivers this month as the powerful annual global event stands against gender-based violence in Lismore on October 22.

Advocating for safer communities for women and gender-diverse people, this year’s event will take place at the Quad in Magellan Street, bringing together survivors, allies, activists, and the community in a call to end sexual violence and reclaim public spaces.

Hosted by MC Mandy Nolan, the program features speeches from local advocates and survivors, performances by Nini Nari Gahli and the International Songs of Justice group, resource stalls from support services, and a community march through the streets of Lismore.

Reclaim the Night is an international movement that originated in the 1970s, with the first rally in Australia held in Sydney in 1978. It aims to empower individuals to speak out against violence and demand societal and legal change.

The Northern Rivers event is organised by a collective of Northern Rivers organisations and individuals with donations from CWA Bangalow, Zonta Northern Rivers, Women’s Health Northern Rivers and Women Up North Housing.

Co-organiser, Women’s Health Northern Rivers general manager Emma Siegel said the event was about visibility, solidarity and action.

“We want everyone to feel safe walking our streets at night, and we’re here to say that violence has no place in our communities,” Siegel said.

All members of the public are welcome, and the event is wheelchair accessible, with Auslan interpreters on site.

Organisers are encouraging attendees to bring signs and to wear red in support of a future free from gendered violence.

For information on the event beginning at 6pm, visit whnr.org.au/event/reclaim-the-night