… and show our commitment to ending violence against women and girls.
Micah Projects’ Brisbane Domestic Violence Service (BDVS) is calling on the West End local community to wear something orange, and decorate their workplaces and shopfronts with orange livery, as part of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
16 Days of Activism is a UN-led, international campaign that runs from 25 November (White Ribbon Day in Australia) until 10 December (World Human Rights Day).
Workers from BDVS will be manning an information stall and photo booth in the small park in Boundary Street at lunchtime on Friday 27th November, where passers-by will be invited to write a brief letter to the women in their lives making a statement about ending gender-based violence, and to have their photo taken for posting to social media.
You can help by:
- Wearing orange to work (hats, sunglasses, socks, nail polish, shirts, flowers, jewelry etc.) between the 26th November and the 10th December.
- Taking snaps of each other wearing orange and post them to social media using the following hashtags: #16days #orangetheworld #womensrights #fearlesslove
- Visiting the BDVS stall on Boundary St on the 27th November and writing a letter of hope to the women in your life for a world free of violence. Encourage others to do the same
- Standing up against inequality and gender-based violence in your own community.
Become aware of the drivers of violence against women and girls.
Karyn Walsh, CEO of Micah Projects, says retailers in Boundary Street are getting behind the campaign by putting bright orange posters in their shop windows and asking staff to wear orange. According to Karyn, “The Sixteen Days of Activism is an important way for their community to show its solidarity with victims, and speak out for change.”
Belinda Cox of the Brisbane Domestic Violence Service adds “In the lead up to Christmas, it’s important to consider what some people will be experiencing during what should be a happy time.”
“We need to say to men and boys: Do not raise your hands in violence – raise your voices to stop it – and to support human rights for all.” UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon.
Useful links:
http://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/take-action
https://www.facebook.com/SayNO.UNiTE/timeline
