Raising awareness of violence against women and girls
A CAMPAIGN to raise awareness of gender-based violence has launched with support from Inverclyde Council.
The annual ‘16 days of Activism' shining a light on the problem started today (Wednesday 25 November 2021) and runs until Friday 10 December to highlight the suffering faced by women and girls around the world.
Inverclyde Council is once again supporting the campaign and will be raising awareness of the key messages among staff and partner organisations and through social media.
The local authority also has a dedicated support page on its website for anyone affected by violence to get the help they need at www.inverclyde.gov.uk/violenceagainstwomen.
Councillor Lynne Quinn, Inverclyde’s women’s champion, said: “This campaign provides us with an opportunity to stand together with people around the world and show our opposition to violence against women and girls.
“I also hope people across Inverclyde and further afield will take a moment to stop and think about the violence suffered by women and girls near and far and whether there is anything more they can do to stop it.
“Whether it’s through social media, wearing the white ribbon or talking, it’s important to shine a light on the problem and send a powerful and collective message never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women and girls.”
Central to the campaign is 16 days of activism beginning on 25 November and finishing on 10 December.
The two dates are symbolic with start date falling on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the end date being Human Rights Day.
The campaign is symbolised by a white ribbon and anyone who has one is encouraged to wear it to show their support.
The first ‘white ribbon campaign’ was launched in 1991 by a group of Canadian men opposing men’s violence against women, following the mass murder of 14 female students at the University of Montreal on 6 December 1989 by a gunman opposing feminism.
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women originated in memory of three women and political activists – the Mirabel sisters – who were killed in the Dominican Republic on 25 November 1960 for their involvement in attempts to overthrow the fascist government at the time.
Councillor Stephen McCabe, leader of Inverclyde Council, said: “This is an important campaign that raises awareness of the awful violence that is, sadly, still being inflicted on women and girls across the world.
“The ’16 days of Activism' also plays a vital role in letting any women and girls out there who are suffering that there is help available and hope for a better, safer future.
“Council and health and social care partnership (HSCP) staff work tirelessly to eradicate the problem locally but we all have a duty of care to our fellow citizens to ensure that that those affected are identified and supported as early as possible.”
Information on violence against women and girls and services that can offer support can be found at: www.inverclyde.gov.uk/violenceagainstwomen.