On 26th October 2025, we joined more than 150 people in Leeds who took to the streets for the annual Reclaim the Night March, to demand safer streets and the right for women to walk freely, day or night, without fear. Together we chanted:
“However we dress, wherever we go, yes means yes and no means no!”
“Women unite, Reclaim the Night!”
Shreena Gobey, Coordinator of Women’s Night Safe Space, a static safety bus in Leeds City Centre explains, why the annual Reclaim the Night March remains as vital as ever:
“On the night women, girls, allies and even a few lovely dogs joined us to demand safer streets! It was a great turnout, with powerful speakers, and throughout the march we were cheered on by passers-by.
“Reclaim the Night says loud and clear – we understand that hate and harassment are not okay, and we need to work together to end violence against women and girls. Reclaim the Night was founded in Leeds, and we continue to amplify voices, stand in solidarity and demand change. It’s an empowering experience – whether you’re participating or simply witnessing the march.”
But why, almost 50 years later, are we still marching for the same rights?
Where It All Began
In the 1970s, members of Leeds Revolutionary Feminist Group were inspired by German women who decided to take back their power and ‘reclaim the night’ in response to Walpurgisnacht, a night when German men traditionally went out to harass women.
The group brought the concept to Leeds, in part a response to serial killer Peter Sutcliffe (known as the Yorkshire Ripper) who, at that point, had not been caught. On 12th November 1977, the first Reclaim the Night March took place, and soon marches began spreading across other UK cities, sparking a movement that continues to this day.
Over the years, Reclaim the Night has become both a celebration and a protest. It stands against the outdated idea that women must “stay indoors” for their own safety, which was the advice given by the Vice-Chancellor of Leeds University during the Yorkshire Ripper’s reign of terror.
The message has always been clear: women should not have to restrict their freedom to stay safe.
Why Reclaim the Night Still Matters
At Leeds Women’s Aid, we witness every day just how widespread violence against women remains. The recent attacks on the Otley Run and in Woodhouse Moor are stark reminders that women are still not safe on our streets, and increasingly, women also face new and evolving forms of violence and abuse in online environments. The call for safety, respect, and equality is as urgent as ever, and we will continue to march each year as a powerful act of resistance and hope.