The Rowan House Women's Emergency Shelter held the 1 Billion Rising March on Saturday in Okotoks.

Community Relations Coordinator Ally Cramm says the march came through downtown Okotoks and those who took part were holding signs, banging on drums and making some noise to raise awarness in the community.

"A lot people who were shopping or driving downtown realized what it was for," Cramm says.

Cram says 1 in 3 woman across the world will be raped or beaten and those statistics are unacceptable.

"The same things are happening right here in the Foothills, and we want to raise awareness and create a culture where abuse and bullying are not okay."

45 people came out to raise awareness during this year's march.

"We are grateful for everyone who attended and helped raise awareness of the issue," Cramm says.

Cramm says she looks forward to expanding the march for next year and having more people come out to the event.

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