The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual campaign that begins on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs through International Human Rights Day on 10 December.
This year, the UN marks the 16 Days under the theme “UNiTE! Activism to end violence against women and girls”.
The Diocese of Salisbury Mothers’ Union and Soroptimist International of Salisbury have teamed up as part of the UN’s annual #Orangetheworld 16 Days of Activism on Violence Against Women.
#Orangetheworld is an annual worldwide campaign aimed at preventing and eliminating violence against women and girls around the world and seeks to raise the profile of the many forms of abuse that are perpetrated on women and girls. These include rape, trafficking, domestic violence, coercive control, forced marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM). The colour orange symbolises a brighter future and a world free from violence against women and girls.
The two local organisations united by a common desire to see an end to violence against women – will be standing together in Salisbury Market Square to raise awareness of domestic abuse and the many other manifestations of violence against women and girls on Sunday 27 November.
Members of both organisations will have information to pass on about domestic abuse and the support services that are available locally to help at times of crisis. As well as bookmarks on what a heathy relationship looks like, members will have other goodies such as fresh fruit and balloons to hand out to interested visitors to the stall
The Mothers’ Union response to the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is the “No More 1 in 3 Campaign” where members across the world take a stand to raise awareness of the 1 in 3 women who suffer abuse at some point in their lives, to campaign for an end to violence in all its forms and to speak up for those who are in invisible chains. The campaign Logo in black and purple is a vivid reminder of mental and physical damage and bruising victims experience.
The Soroptimists use orange, as used by the UN. The colour orange symbolises a brighter future, free of violence. It serves as a means of demonstrating our solidarity in eliminating all forms of violence and it is used as the colour of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
Whether orange or purple, the sentiments and messages of the two organisations are the same: “There is no room for violence against women anywhere in our world!”
An estimated 1.6 million women experience domestic abuse every year, one in seven children and young people will have lived with domestic violence at some point in their childhood. Three women are killed every fortnight by a current or ex-partner, so much needs to change.
Domestic abuse affects people throughout society and at every stage of life. Many women don’t speak out due to fear or feeling ashamed, thinking it is their fault. The myths about domestic abuse need to be dispelled and sexist attitudes to women’s and men’s roles challenged. It is easy to miss the signs of a coercive, abusive relationship or to ask for help.
For more information and resources on this topic, visit the Mothers' Union website.