Council buildings will be lit up in orange to mark the first and last days of the United Nation’s 16 Days of Action against Gender Based Violence campaign.
The global campaign begins on 25 November, which also marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and ends on 10 December, International Human Rights Day.
The 2021 theme ‘Orange the World: End Violence Against Women Now is supported by the Council, Soroptimists, and Empowered, the multi-agency partnership of services in East Dunbartonshire which work to prevent and eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.
A UN report estimates that 1 in 3 women aged 15 or older around the world have been subjected to physical or sexual violence at least once in their lifetime. However, these figures don’t reflect the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and would be even higher if they included the full types of violence that affect women and girls such as harassment and online abuse.
By illuminating the Community Hubs in Bearsden, Kirkintilloch and Bishopbriggs, as well as Milngavie Town Hall, the Council is aiming to raise awareness of the 16 Days campaign and to encourage residents to learn more about the efforts being made to eliminate gender based violence.
Joint Council Leader Andrew Polson, said, "Gender based violence is a violation of human rights and the negative impact on society is monumental. All the evidence from the UN indicates that the pandemic has exacerbated all the risk factors for violence against women.
“By supporting and actively getting involved in 16 Days of Action, the Council want to raise awareness of the campaign and also the work that is done locally by the organisations that make up Empowered.”
Joint Council Leader Vaughan Moody added, “We all have a responsibility to end violence against women and girls, and to ensure survivors are given the support they need.
“Violence in all in forms against women is never acceptable and we must all play our part in ensuring women and girls in our community have safe and healthy lives.”
You can visit Health and social care gender based violence for further information and support services.
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