Blog
Christina Fakhry

Time to Man Up in Beirut and Walk a Mile in Her Shoes

Following last year’s Men in Heels video experiment, social initiative Uf Concepts is back with yet another event in support of women, bringing international men’s march ‘Walk a Mile in Her Shoes’ to Beirut.

‘Walk a Mile in Her Shoes Beirut 2015’ will kick off Sunday, April 26 at 10 a.m. in Waterfront City Dbayeh, as men of all ages and shoe sizes unite to denounce violence against women through the symbolic act of wearing heels.



“A Walk a Mile in Her Shoes® Event is a playful opportunity for men to raise awareness in their community about the serious causes, effects and remediation to men’s sexualized violence against women,” Uf Concepts co-founder Wajid El Hitti told Beirut.com.

Participation in the marathon-like event, however, is not limited to male participants. “The event is open to anyone (men, women and children) who want to say ‘no’ to violence and be part of a community striving for a better world, a peaceful world,” El Hitti explained.

All proceeds from the event will go to women advocacy NGO KAFA (Enough) Violence & Exploitation. “KAFA has been working to eliminate all forms of exploitation and violence against women since its establishment in 2005. It seeks to realize substantive gender equality,” El Hitti noted.

The event also features a set of other activities including entertainment acts, music performances and a blood drive for local NGO Donner Sang Compter (DSC). “We partner with DSC in all our events and activities because we believe in the cause of voluntary blood donation and are regular blood donors. Giving blood is a form of support for the community and the presence of DSC in our event is a natural fit,” he added.

And if you’re still wondering where to find the right pair of heels (shopping for size 45 heels is no regular business to say the least), Uf Concepts has got you covered. They actually came up with their very own shoe line, designed exclusively for the event.

“There are no high heels on the Lebanese market that would fit men shoe sizes, so instead of leaving everyone clueless as for where to find heels for the event, we manufactured red heels sized 41 to 45 in Lebanon,” El Hitti explained. Heels will be sold at both Le Mall Dbayeh and Sin El Fil on two consecutive weekends: April 11-12 and April 18-19, from 1 to 8 p.m.

“Every month in Lebanon, one woman is killed due to domestic violence. Every year in Lebanon, 1100 abused women refer to KAFA for help. Every year in Lebanon, 2700 abused women call KAFA’s hotline for guidance,” El Hitti told Beirut.com.

But before rushing to talk the talk, you might want to start by walking the walk. “Each year, an ever-increasing number of men, women and their families are joining the award-winning Walk a Mile in Her Shoes initiative [worldwide]… and Beirut will always be a trendsetter in the region when it comes to advocacy and social awareness,” said El Hitti.

Stay in touch with Walk a Mile Beirut’s latest updates through the event’s Facebook page or call the hotline +961-70-519171 for further inquiries, including ordering heels.