Wakefield Reclaim the night as This Girl Can calls for action on women's freedom

Ever felt a bit uneasy going for a run or walking home when it gets dark early? As the clocks go back in autumn, the longer nights can make public spaces feel less safe, especially for women and girls.

But what if a whole community decided to do something about it? That’s exactly what’s happening in Wakefield.

The town is joining a powerful movement across West Yorkshire to stand up for safety and make sure everyone feels secure, day or night. A series of ‘Reclaim the Night’ events, including a banner-making day, a vigil, and the town’s first-ever protest march of its kind on 27 November.

Find out more on their Facebook page.

A lot of Local Authority areas are getting involved in similar campaigns, such as #JogOn, so keep an eye out and get involved where you can.

This Girl Can calls for action on women's freedom

With the clocks now turned back and darker evenings setting in, our This Girl Can campaign is calling time on the curfew that restricts women’s freedom to be active after dark.

This week, thousands of women and their allies will take to streets, parks and trails across the country in support of Let’s Lift the Curfew – a nationwide movement that highlights how safety fears force many women to change their behaviour when the nights draw in. 

At a time of year when many people struggle with the challenges that cold and dark weather bring, being unable to safely get active could negatively affect women’s physical and mental health.

Now in its third year, the campaign has grown into an annual moment of solidarity, amplifying women’s voices and promoting cultural awareness and allyship to tackle the barriers that stop many women from moving freely outdoors in winter – from fear of harassment and abuse to poor lighting.

This Girl Can research found that almost three-quarters (72%) of women in the UK change their outdoor activity routines during winter.

The data also shone a light on the precautions women take to stay safe when getting active outdoors after the clocks have gone back. One in four (24%) said they prioritise well-lit routes, almost a quarter (23%) avoid certain areas altogether, and one in five (20%) glance behind them to ensure they’re not being followed.

Our marketing director Kate Dale said: "Every year when the clocks go back, women everywhere see their world get smaller – not because they want to, but because they don’t feel safe going out after dark.

"Women’s safety continues to dominate headlines – an ever-present, stark reminder that this issue hasn’t gone away. And these aren’t isolated stories; they reflect a daily reality that too many of us have accepted for too long. Let’s Lift the Curfew is our response to that: a collective stand that says ‘enough’.

"Women shouldn’t have to change their behaviour to stay safe; society should change the behaviours that make them feel unsafe. We’ll keep shouting about it until we see change and we want everyone to raise their voices with us. Because the more of us that speak out, the harder it is to ignore.

"Our movement is powered by community, empathy and allyship. When we come together, we show that belonging starts when everyone feels free to move."

With support from GoodGym and England Athletics, more than 320 events from Brighton to Newcastle this week symbolise a shared commitment to reclaiming public spaces and showing that women’s safety when they choose to be active is everyone’s responsibility.

People everywhere are encouraged to join a local event or host their own, logging their activity on Strava and sharing it on social media using #LetsLiftTheCurfew and tagging @thisgirlcanuk. 

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