A number of Council buildings will be illuminated in orange on Wednesday 25 November to mark the first day of the United Nation's 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence Campaign.
The international campaign runs from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10 December, International Human Rights Day.
It is supported locally by the Council and organisations such as Soroptimist International (Kirkintilloch & District) and Empowered, the multi-agency partnership of services in East Dunbartonshire which have an interest in preventing and eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls.
The 2020 theme is: "Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!". Evidence from the UN suggests there has been an increase in multiple forms of violence against women - especially physical, psychological, sexual and economic forms of domestic violence - due to the continued economic insecurity and movement restrictions in place due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Although there will be no community events during the 16 days this year, the Council is aiming to raise awareness of the campaign by lighting the following buildings up orange: Kirkintilloch Community Hub/William Patrick Library building; Milngavie Town Hall and Bearsden Community Hub.
Joint Council Leader Vaughan Moody, said, "Ending gender based violence is not on pause during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
"By getting involved in 16 Days of Activism, the Council wants to help raise awareness and remove the stigma attached to this abuse of power by letting everyone know that violence against women and girls, in all its forms, is never acceptable."
Joint Council Leader Andrew Polson, said, "We all have a responsibility to end gender based violence. It damages health and wellbeing, limits freedom and potential, and is a violation of the most fundamental human rights.
"Together we can make a difference by supporting women and girl survivors of violence to stay safe and free of violence."
You can visit East Dunbartonshire Councils Gender Based Violence webpage for further information and support services.