Westmoreland County’s ninth annual “Walk A Mile In Her Shoes” event, the International Men’s March to End Sexual Assault, Rape and Gender Violence, will be held April 13 at St. Clair Park in Greensburg.

Men and women, families, community leaders, professionals, survivors, students, and residents from across Westmoreland County will walk one mile to raise awareness about the incidence of domestic and sexual violence. Men are invited to walk in women’s high-heeled shoes as they join their voices with women in speaking out against the social norms and attitudes that perpetuate domestic and sexual violence. Last year, more than 1,100 participants, including nearly 400 brave men in heels, turned out for the event.

Organized for Westmoreland County by Blackburn Center, the event supports the agency’s call to action in the community to end domestic and sexual violence. This event provides an opportunity for participants to come together in their commitment to end gender based violence.

Male community members and leaders will proclaim their solidarity with the movement to end gender-based violence by walking one mile in women’s shoes, with women and children walking at their sides. Men who choose to wear their own shoes are welcome as well.

The walk is scheduled to begin 10 a.m. April 13, with registration beginning at 9 a.m. at St. Clair Park. Limited parking is available.

At least one in four women will experience gender violence in her lifetime. The walk is designed to promote gender equality by critically examining cultural ideals of gender and gender relations. To end gender violence, the entire community must be involved — women and men. This inclusive event provides an opportunity for men to make the commitment to work together with women to end gender violence. It demonstrates that men are willing and able to be courageous partners with women in making the world a safer place.

Contact Blackburn Center through www.blackburncenter.org to pre-register or call 724-837-9540, ext. 144. Women’s high-heeled shoes will be loaned to male walkers, who are encouraged to register by April 1 to insure proper sizes are available. In addition, walk-on registrants are welcome, though event planners cannot guarantee shoe availability. T-shirts will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.