My 16 Days of Activism
Against Gender-Based Violence
25 NOVEMBER 2023 –10 December 2023
Every year SI Tynemouth, Whitley Bay and District support the campaign, “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence” that starts on 25 November until 10 December. It includes International Day for the elimination of Violence Against Women/ White Ribbon Day 25 December and World Human Rights Day/Soroptimist International Foundation Day (10 December)
This year Soroptimist International developed a campaign for all 5 Federations to create a unified message for Soroptimists around the globe. Through the campaign theme of “Wired for Change: Tech’s Impact on Gender based Abuse” they wanted to raise awareness of how technology can be used as a force for bad but also a force for good
I was not sure I was up for this Theme. I knew many of our members were ready to explore and increase their social media engagement, use the campaign hashtag #WiredForChange as well as increase their link clicks and find followers or reach potential new Soroptimists. My club had produced an “Orange Wheel of Activities to support members and were very happy to share their ideas with members of SI Northern England. The members hoped to engage with Soroptimists all over the world, reach like minded organisations and social media influencers who support their mission.
I felt that Instagram, Twitter, Linked In, threads and some of the websites were all platforms and channels for harnessing technology for good and empower individuals to stand against gender-based abuse. This is what I managed to do during those 16 Days of Activism.
25 November – As promised, I sent a picture and Blog to our IT member to launch the first day of activism to support my club’s commitment to post something every day for 16 Days of Activism.
26 November – Raised awareness of our work with my daughter-in-law over a coffee.
27 November – Visited a local café and spoke to the female owner about the campaign and left SIGBI 16 Days of Activism postcards.
Visited 2 local retailers and thanked them for their orangedisplays in their shop windows.
Supported SI Tynedale with their charity meal in a Hexham Restaurant. Monies raised were being given to their local women’s refuge.
28 November – Made an “Orange meal”.
29 November – Gave away oranges and SIGBI Postcards to my hairdresser.
30 November – I attended a play by Workie Ticket Theatre‘s “Walk the Line” project, an interactive theatre workshop about domestic abuse, male violence against women and girls. (It was an excellent networking opportunity where I made contact with a white ribbon supporter from Newcastle University and shared our campaign with him.
1 December – I met with a female STEM worker in a local coffee shop and raised awareness of the SIGBI campaign.
2 December – I wrote to my local MP about the work of my local SI club during 16 Days of activism against gender based violence.
3 December – Fiesta – Used a local community event to network and raise awareness of the Orange the World Campaign.
4 December – I used an SI Prosperity meeting in a local coffee shop to raise awareness of our campaign and suggested they hold an event next year. Rustic Cup coffee shop is painted ORANGE!
5 December – When purchasing items for our local refuge in North Shields I spoke to the Manageress about the Orange campaign and gave her a SIGBI postcard. She was very empathetic and manged to find some sale garments for me.
6 December – I re-read the article in the Telegraph about Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh and her visit to Colombia where she learned of the plight of girls caught up in wars. She visited The Centre for Memory, Peace and Recognition in Bogota. She met with survivors of conflict related sexual violence (CRSV) to hear their testimonial experiences and roles in peace processes. It was interesting to hear her talking of women as “builders of peace”, food security through climate adaptation and champion the crucial role women play in Science. She also visited the “Spinning with Patience to Weave Hope for Peace” Art exhibition. She also attended the “Prevention of Sexual Violence in Conflict” International Conference in London.
7 December – I took SIGBI information to the female staff at “Spoilt for Choice, my Beautician’s in Wallsend.
8 December – Re visited a local retailer with further information about the Orange campaign. 
Sent an email about SIGBI and our campaign to an interested female member of staff in the Newcastle Building Society.
9 December – On a charity trip to the Christmas Market in Edinburgh I raised awareness of the orange campaign with the female organisers from Hays Travel.
10 December – Final Day – Human Rights Day. Read more about this special day. 2023 is the 75th anniversary of one of the world’s most ground breaking global pledges. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
This is what I managed to squeeze in during my 16 days of Activism. What did you do? A little bit of planning goes a long way!
One thing I learned was that on 5 April 2023, for the first time, controlling or coercive behaviour that takes place after a relationship has ended became a criminal offence in England and Wales. Shirley Hallam Gould – SINE Programme Action Officer.
CHRISTMAS 2023 – HOW WE MADE A DIFFERENCE!
For more than 25 years, every year, Newcastle Soroptimists have collected toiletries, sweets and clothing to be packed into 25 Christmas bags for homeless women supported by the Joseph Cowan Health Centre. As you will see below, this year has been no exception.
We have since received a thank you note from the centre and a photograph of a very happy visitor collecting one of our parcels. The lady in question is happy for us to post her photograph to show how much she appreciated her present.
Earlier in the month, Newcastle Soroptimists donated £500 to the West End Food Bank so that Christmas Meals could be provided for those using its services The West End Food Bank were extremely grateful for donation as it will give the opportunity for many people to have a Christmas lunch.
In another initiative, one of the club members, Doreen, took 100 Chocolate Santa Clauses to the North Kenton Foodbank and a friend of one of the club members made a generous donation to the Joseph Cowan Health Centre to provide warm clothing for some of the female users.
KNOWING WHAT A DIFFERENCE OUR CHRISTMAS DONATIONS have made to people have given us further impetus to make a difference in 2024.
Link to SI Newcastle-Upon_Tyne: