The Women’s Alliance of NIU invites the community to participate in a rally and march promoting the safety of women, and education of abusive men.

“Take Back the Night March,” an event that has occurred around the country over the last several years, is slated to take place at 8 p.m. on Wednesday beginning at the Chick Evans Field House.

The march, which has had a high student turnout in the past, will be followed by an open microphone session. A candlelight march around the community will conclude the evening.

The event is a chance to reclaim that part of the day that women worldwide are supposed to fear. Its purpose is to raise awareness of women’s issues on campus, said Women’s Alliance Treasurer Laura Martin.

“This march is to protest violence toward women and empowering women as well,” Martin said.

The Women’s Alliance of NIU has participated in many programs on campus including Women’s History Month, helping with the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual awareness week and the pay equity bake sale, where women were charged less than men for baked goods because of the inequalities in men and women’s pay scales.

Speakers will include Pam Wiesman, director of Safe Passage, a DeKalb shelter for abused women and their children.

Wiesman will speak about domestic and dating violence, and their effects on women.

Also scheduled to speak will be Lynda O’Brien, director of sexual assault and abuse services for DeKalb County’s Rape Crisis Center.

O’Brien will speak about ways women can protect themselves from sexual assault.

Local musician Lisa Stanislawski will be performing, as well as original poetry readings by Pat Smith.

Aubrieta Kislock will share personal experiences about the topic of child abuse and what the night is like for a child.

Other local colleges that have participated in the march in the past include Southern Illinois University and Illinois State University.

Martin encourages everyone to attend, male or female.

“We are expecting between 150-200 participants for the rally. We invite men to attend as well, because educating men would be wonderful,” she said.