SI Middlesbrough is taking part in 16 days of action against gender-based violence. We will #OrangetheWorld: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect in support of #GenerationEquality. Soroptimists believe to achieve zero tolerance against gender-based violence.
“The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that kicks off on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day. It was started by activists at the inaugural Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991 and continues to be coordinated each year by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership. It is used as an organizing strategy by individuals and organizations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.”
(Ref: UN Women)
Since lockdowns due to COVID-19 pandemic, rates of domestic violence have increased substantially around the world, termed as “Shadow Pandemic“. Hence, during these 16 days of action, we strive to raise awareness about domestic violence through our daily posts on our social media handles and encourage women to spot the signs of abuse to say no to violence.