In just six days, a citizen initiative in the Netherlands has exceeded all expectations by raising more than half a million euros to help women returning home at night stay safe. The campaign, titled ‘Wij eisen de nacht op’ (‘We reclaim the night’), began as a project to raise awareness and has become a social movement with strong financial and media backing. According to the organizers, what began as a grassroots action has grown into a national movement—one they insist is “only the beginning.”
Speakers for the initiative admit that the response has been unexpectedly positive: “In recent days, we have been completely overwhelmed by what has happened. With the fundraising, more than €430,000 has already been collected, much more than we could have ever dreamed of.”
The campaign’s central message appeals to the fundamental right of women to be able to move without fear, anywhere and anytime. Their manifesto stresses that “it doesn’t matter how we look, where we are or what time it is: let women get home safely.”
The initiative’s description is deliberately everyday: a woman walking alone after leaving a party, cycling back home, or jogging through a park at night—ordinary situations that, nevertheless, are marked these days by a feeling of vulnerability and fear in many European countries.
The unexpected success of the fundraising now forces the group to define a broader strategy. According to their statement, they will work on three levels. The first is social awareness, with campaigns that invite reflection and encourage changes in public behavior. The second targets institutions: “In September, a parliamentary initiative on femicide will be presented, but more is needed. We will take to the streets and launch a petition to push the government into action.” Finally, the organizers want to strengthen local associations, serving as a platform and multiplier.
One of the movement’s most remarkable aspects has been its insistence on transparency. Only a small fraction of the money has been spent on printing posters and stickers. The rest remains untouched in the crowdfunding platform, awaiting legal and fiscal advice to guarantee proper management. The organizers do not rule out creating a foundation to administer the funds with full accountability.
The enthusiasm with which the campaign has been received reflects a growing concern across many European countries: women’s safety in public spaces. The initiative is a new example of how societies are affected by the consequences of mass immigration.
