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IQALUIT - Iqalummiut turned out in the hundreds for this year's Take Back the Night march on Oct. 9, waving banners and signs calling for an end to violence against women and children.

The Inuksuk high school parking lot was flooded with families waiting for the signal to begin the march to the Anglican Parish Hall.

Numa Kipponeecox, left, and Chelsey Arnold display a glittered sign at the Take Back the Night March in Iqaluit on Oct. 9. The march began at Inuksuk high school where hundreds gathered in an effort to raise awareness about the issue of violence against women. - Carolyn Sloan/NNSL photo

An annual event in Iqaluit, the Take Back the Night March is an international movement, organized locally by the Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council. At the community level, it is an opportunity for families to come together to raise public awareness to the high levels of violence against women and children, both close to home and worldwide.

"It's about coming together as communities," said Qulliit's executive director Shylah Elliot. "When we live in fear, it hinders our growth as women and prevents our full involvement in everyday life. So by joining in unity with women across the world, we make the commitment to reducing violence in our communities and making our life safer for our families."

Marching at this year's event was Jimmy Paton, a resident who came to demonstrate that there is a strong voice in Iqaluit.

"I came here to participate for those who need encouragement," she said. "I'm here just to show myself and to say, 'Hey. There's no small amount of people. There's more."

This year's march also had a high turnout of youth who voiced their support for the cause.

Chelsey Arnold and Numa Kipponeecox displayed a pink sign with glittered letters.

"I don't believe in violence against women," said Kipponeecox. "It's a disgrace."

To that, Arnold added, "I don't think that men should hit women."

This year's turnout was a welcome sight for Elliot, who said there are usually at least 200 participants annually.

"We've had great turnouts over the last number of years and I think it increases every year," she said. "Of course, we encourage the other hamlets to put on a Take Back the Night March in their communities as well."