It's been said that Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, just backward and in high heels.

Men in York County have the chance to experience life in high heels during a 1-mile walk downtown for the third annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes.

The YWCA York and the York Revolution are co-hosting the event on Friday, May 11, as part of an international men's march to eliminate rape, sexual assault and gender violence.

Men will walk one mile -- starting and finishing in Sovereign Bank Stadium -- wearing women's high heels, an idea inspired by the saying that you can't understand a person's experience until you've walked a mile in their shoes.

For the cause: Keith Wentz of Springettsbury Township wore go-go boots

when he participated in the walk two years ago.

"I had sore legs for about two or three weeks afterward," said Wentz. "I had a lot of fun, but it's really about trying to support everyone who works hard every day to support people in bad situations.

"It's fun, it's for a good cause, and I think that we need to get out there and show support for those victims," Wentz said.

One in three women has experienced gender violence in her lifetime, said Jennifer Brillhart, chief development officer of the YWCA.

"That means someone you know, someone you care about has been the victim of sexual violence," said Brillhart. "This violence does not just affect women. Men are hurt and angered when women they care about are sexually assaulted. Men are hurt and angered when they try to develop relationships with women in an atmosphere of fear and mistrust and blame."

How it works: Participants are encouraged to raise money for their registration fee, which will benefit victims of domestic and sexual abuse through the YWCA's Victim Assistance Center and Access-York programs.

The top two individual fundraisers and the top fundraising team will receive their own suite at a future Revolution game, courtesy of Wagman Construction, the Wolf Organization and the York Revolution.

Raffle prizes will be given out, as well as awards for the highest heels worn by a male participant, most entertaining, most creative attire and most creative shoe.

The event is open to women and children too, and online registration is open for individuals and teams at www.ywcayork.org. Registration includes a post-walk picnic and a ticket to the York Revolution game that night.

Participants may register the day of the walk beginning at 4 p.m.; the walk starts at 5 p.m.

To donate or volunteer, visit www.ywcayork.org or contact Katie Mahoney at 434-1760 or kmahoney@ywcayork.org.

-- Reach Chelsea Shank at 505-5432 or cshank@yorkdispatch.com.