Big Island Celebrities came out to the annual “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” event that was held at the YWCA in Hilo today. Since 2001, men, women, and their families around the world have joined the award-winning Walk a Mile in Her Shoes events. The International Men’s March is meant to to Stop Rape, Sexual Assault & Gender Violence.
The YWCA of Hawaii Island raised closed to $14,000 today.
Retired Chief of Police Paul Ferreira, acting Chief of Police Kenneth Bugado, Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen, Doug Adams County of Hawaii Director of R&D, and other men took to the streets in women’s footwear.
Why Men in Women’s Shoes?
There is an old saying: “You can’t understand another person’s experience until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes.” To get people listening, learning, and talking, Walk a Mile in Her Shoes® education Events organize around men literally walking one mile in women’s high-heeled shoes. It’s not easy walking in these shoes, but it’s an experience around which a lot of education, self-reflection, and change happens. It’s impressive to see such a visually stunning public statement of listening, learning, allyship, and commitment.
It’s an engaging event that gets the community talking about sex and gender biases, gender identity, gender relations, and men’s sexualized violence.