On September 18, 2025, the Peel Committee Against Women Abuse (PCAWA) held their annual Take Back the Night rally and march.
Hosted in the Region of Peel since 2016 and led by Embrave, it’s an important event that raises awareness of the need to support an end to gender-based violence, especially sexual violence, and the right to live without fear of it.
Around half of women feel unsafe walking alone at night on a quiet street near their home or a busy public place. Four out of five feel unsafe walking alone in a park or open space after dark.
“[It’s about] taking back time that continues to be a dangerous time for women and gender diverse folks, where we’re told to walk on the light side of the street,” says Embrave Development and Education Manager Rebecca Pacheco.” All of these things that we shouldn’t have to do because of our heightened awareness of the danger that comes with nighttime.”
Take Back the Night is not a Peel-specific event. It’s a worldwide issue, with approximately one in three women having been physically or sexually assaulted. It’s global fight for action. Similar marches and events take place in over 40 countries including in many communities across Canada.
In Peel, it’s a collaborative effort with 25 member organizations and many community members to make the event possible.
“Every year, it continues to grow. And it’s incredible to see the progression of the event, and to know that it just continues to do that,” says Pacheco. “The connections that have been formed because of this event, it’s remarkable.”
The event began with a community fair with a poster-making station and booths showcasing the partner organizations and supports that are offered to survivors of violence. There was also a dance performance by Frog in Hand, a Mississauga not-for-profit dance-theatre group.
After that, the march begins and the message is heard loud and clear.
“We yell and scream and we chant, and it’s so powerful. I always have my megaphone, and it’s electric, the energy during the march,” says Pacheco. “It’s almost like this tangible thing.”