Soroptimist International St Albans and District #OrangeTheWorldHerts campaign 2024 was brighter and louder than ever! Everyone who joined in committed to CALL IT OUT ! saying NO! to violence against women. Click here for more about how to take action and CALL IT OUT ! : https://sigbi.org/st-albans/callitout
Mon 25 Nov – Tue 10 Dec Soroptimists join the United Nations Orange The World campaign – 16 Days of Action to End Violence Against Women. As a bright and optimistic colour, orange represents a future free from violence against women and girls. www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/unite/orange-the-world
#OrangetheWorldHerts 2024
This year’s theme is CALL IT OUT! – please click here for more: https://sigbi.org/st-albans/callitout moving from awareness raising to a call to action. The High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, Annie Brewster is behind our campaign – see the photo here of Annie with our selfie frame with Herts Police and Crime Commissioner Jonathan Ash-Edwards
You can download a single page here with more information: Orange The World CALLITOUT 1 pager
Joining the campaign were the County Council, the High Sheriff, Herts Police, Herts Police and Crime Commissioner, Herts University, secondary schools, Town/City Councils and Councillors and individuals.
We worked closely with the #WhiteRibbon Campaign in St Albans and Hertfordshire. “It starts with men is the theme for White Ribbon Day 2024. Violence against women and girls is rooted in harmful masculine traits. Starting with men, we must address the attitudes and behaviours that contribute to a fear of violence for women in their day-to-day lives.” The goal of both campaigns is the same.
This was the Soroptimist International St Albans and District campaign:
On Mon 11 Nov we kicked off the campaign with a Zoom call with Annie Brewster High Sheriff of Hertfordshire– #CALLITOUT ! #OrangetheWorldHerts – our Call to Action! see the photo here of Annie on Zoom with an orange feather in her hat!
On Tue 12 Nov Soroptimist Jane Slatter was interviewed by Elly O’Meara on Mix 92.6 – see the pic of Jane and Ellie in the selfie frame – click here to listen to the interview: https://mix926.com/highlight/orange-the-world-call-it-out/
Mon 25 Nov – the official launch of #OrangetheWorldHerts 2024 at St Albans Museum and Gallery on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the start of 16 Days of Activism to end violence against women. This was the 25th Anniversary of this UN special day. These campaigns aim to bring together individuals and organisations around the world to tackle violence against women and girls. Speakers included Soroptimist Ameeta Sabharwal, High Sheriff of Hertfordshire Annie Brewster, Herts Police and Crime Commissioner Jonathan Ash-Edwards, Mayor of St Albans Jamie Day, Bishop of St Albans Alan Smith, Herts Assistant Chief Constable Genna Telfer, Cheryl Luzet StAlbans Chamber of Commerce, Emma Fleming Chief Executive of Future Living and Neil Kieran White Ribbon lead for St Albans Council. They all gave insightful speeches with terrifying statistics of the scale of the problem. People joined the event who just happened to be in the Museum and said they were blown away by it all. There were students from the University of Herts and many other local groups including the DA Helpline, St Albans Action for the Homeless, the Domestic Abuse Alliance, Mix Community radio 92.6, The St Albans Times, Councillors and Council staff, Officers from the St Albans Police, as well as Soroptimists.
High Sheriff Annie Brewster said: “The brilliant Soroptimists are not only encouraging buildings to be lit up in orange to reinforce the annual 16 days of activism but have introduced a call to action to call out inappropriate behaviour any of us witness be it at home, in the work place or at leisure. There are still many who are not aware coercive control is now a criminal offence and can destroy lives. It’s absolutely terrifying to see what’s going on. Domestic abuse isn’t just about being hit or hurt, it’s also about the emotional impact it has on people going through domestic abuse in their childhood.”
The Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Rev Alan Smith, said: “We want to be part of the answer, as together we seek to orange the world and put a stop to this dreadful, dreadful thing that’s here in our midst.” Click to read the news item published by the St Albans Diocese https://www.stalbansdiocese.org/news/bishop-speaks-at-orange-the-world-campaign/.
Soroptimist host Ameeta Sabharwal said: “Violence against women and girls isn’t just a women’s issue; it is a societal crisis, one that demands a response from each and every one of us. We know that this violence can manifest in myriad ways: domestic violence, sexual harassment, trafficking, child marriage, and 
online abuse. Each incident is a breach of dignity, a scar on our collective humanity. And we know, too, that the impact extends beyond individuals, creating ripples of harm that affect families, communities, and the very fabric of our society. However, we also know that violence against women and girls is preventable. We see that with the right policies, community action, and widespread education, we can create a safer, more equitable world. But we must also acknowledge that progress is not uniform, nor is it fast enough. This is why our commitment to ending violence must be stronger than ever. We need to strengthen laws, justice systems and community-based solutions to ensure accountability and 
support for survivors. We need to educate our youth on healthy relationships, respect, and gender equality.” The community weekly online newspaper, The St Albans Times, gave the event great coverage – click here to read the article and see more photos: https://stalbanstimes.co.uk/st-albans/stop-its-time-to-call-out-domestic-violence/
In the piece Jane Slatter, Soroptimist International St Albans and District co-president is quoted: “The Soroptimist Orange The World Herts “Call It Out!” campaign event really put the scale of the problem of domestic abuse and violence in the spotlight. This was working together to make a difference as a community at its best.”
Wed 27 Nov Hertfordshire County Hall turned orange for #OrangeTheWorldHerts 2024. This event was run by Soroptimist International Hertford and District in partnership with Herts County Council and supported Soroptimist International St Albans and District.
Secretary of the Hertford Club thanked everyone for being there. High Sheriff Annie Brewster spoke about how domestic abuse seemed to come up everywhere and needs to be tackled in a more joined up and effective way. Darren Cook, Deputy Director of the Fire and Rescue service bringing Loki the Fire dog an engine and fire-fighters with him! He also spoke about the commitment of the service to zero tolerance. People were encouraged to sign their white ribbon 
promise to never commit, excuse or remain silent about male violence against women.
Thu 28 Nov was the Soroptimists #OrangeTheWorldHerts Harpenden event was supported by Harpenden Town Council and held in Park Hall. The event focused on Domestic Abuse 
and on the theme #CallItOut ! asking Harpenden residents to commit to not standing by and let abuse happen.
Harpenden Mayor Pip Liver and Denise Powell from Soroptimist International St Albans and District welcomed everyone, and Denise gave a presentation giving the background to this important campaign. Soroptimists around the world are champions of the United Nations “Orange the World” campaign, which raises awareness of the many forms of violence and abuse against women and girls with “16 days of Activism” from 25 November to 10 December, Human Rights Day. This year the St Albans Soroptimists asked everyone to commit to “Call It Out!” and take action.
For the past four years, Soroptimists have brought the campaign to Hertfordshire, with many organisations and businesses putting up orange lights, dressing themselves or their buildings in orange and more. Orange is used to symbolise a brighter future, free from violence against women and girls.
Harpenden Police Sergeant Mark Essam delivered a presentation showing the scale of the problem in Harpenden. In 9 months from 1st January until 1st October, there were 210 crimes recorded in relation to intimate domestic violence (DV) incidents and for 88 non intimate DV (non-intimate can be child on parent). Mark ended by giving some great advice on how to stay safe.
Next we heard from Hayley Star the Manager of the Herts Domestic Abuse Helpline. The service takes 2000 calls/year and most calls are from female victims/survivors.
June Chapman the Chief Executive of Citizen’s Advice St Albans 
and District told us that most advice is given over the phone now, but they do have a drop-in service at the Well Bean Café, Harpenden Trust, Southdown Road. 60% of their callers are women. They give advice, and signpost people to get support, following relationship breakdowns on housing, employment, debt and legal matters.
Vicki Symonds is the Service Manager for the Herts IDVA (independent domestic abuse adviser) service, supporting victims/survivors who are in the highest risk category. They empower people to know what their rights are and advise them on what support they can get. They have been running a new housing advocacy service for a month now. Approximately 70 % of women have their children with them. Children can be victims on their own right now.
Neil Kiran, the White Ribbon lead for St Albans City and District Council rounded up the speakers. Soroptimists have been working with the Council and the White Ribbon campaign to end violence against women from the male perspective, with the 2024 theme ‘It Starts With Men’ which aligns with the Soroptimist call to action: #CallItOut! https://www.stalbans.gov.uk/news/we-are-supporting-white-ribbon-day-monday-25-november.The Council is White Ribbon accredited with ambassadors, champions and procedures to ensure that action is always taken against domestic abuse.
Harpenden’s MP Victora Collins sent her apologies, and sent a message of solidarity in support of the campaign.
Guests were engaged in the event by asking questions and having “orange” photos taken – included Councillors, representatives from the Mother’s Union, Taylor Walton Solicitors and more. There was a great buzz in the room and plans will soon be underway for next year’s event…
Denise Powell, Soroptimist International St Albans and District co-president closed by saying: “The Soroptimist Orange The World Herts “Call It Out!” campaign event really put the scale of the problem of domestic abuse and violence in the spotlight. I look forward to us working together to really making a difference in the Harpenden community.”
Mon 2 Dec – Shake Rattle and Sing! Soroptimists and friends (including some members of local choirs), wore orange to continue with the #OrangetheWorldHerts campaign and sang festive songs at St Albans City Station raising an amazing £438 for SAHWR Women’s Refuge! It is thanks to the generous travellers for their donations, the station staff for hosting and for 
everyone who gave up their time to make it such an enjoyable event whilst raising awareness of violence against women and girls. There were train delays that evening and one commuter said “your singing has cheered me up and made me feel really Christmassy”. £2 donations were suggested on the card reader and one donor said “make that £10” and when Jane said to him “you are a star!” he said “go on make it £20” – now that is the Christmas spirit! Singers and musicians went to the Six Bells afterwards for a well deserved supper and warm up – and more “oranging” of course!
St Albans Girls School shared with us that on Fri 29 Nov they held a “STAGS TALKS” about Orange the World led by two of the Sixth Form Global Ambassadors – this is their presentation STAGS Orange The World
CALL IT OUT ! #OrangeTheWorldHerts
What did you do this year? Did you use the information pack? Orange the world 2024 Info pack (this is a PDF – email sistalbans@hotmail.com if you need in a different format). There are ideas on this page too: https://sigbi.org/st-albans/callitout We also produced these two posters, to explain why the campaign. One has an orange background and one has a white background to provide different print options: Orange-the-World-Flyer-Poster-Updated
What did you do to support #OrangeTheWorldHerts #CALLITOUT ! What ideas have you got for next year?
If you are a business whose premises are lit up, use an orange filter to make the lights orange – and tell your workers and customers why you are doing it.
If you are a member of a group (choir, team, church, walking group etc), get everyone to dress in or carry something Orange and take a photo
If you are involved with young people (teenagers), especially boys, run a project/session to discuss healthy relationships.
If you are a shop, café or pub, put a supportive poster in your window and inside perhaps with some Orange bunting.
If you rent out premises , put up a poster to show your support
If you support the campaign as an individual , take a snap of yourself wearing Orange
These are just some ideas. Be inventive!
Importantly, send everything to us at sistalbans@hotmail.com . We are Soroptimist International St Albans and District and we are spearheading this campaign.
Please click here to read about the Orange the World campaign we have been running in the area since 2020 and see how it has gone from strength to strength https://sigbi.org/st-albans-and-district/orange-the-world
If you need further information please contact sistalbans@hotmail.com
During the campaign we supported two local organisations in our district working to support victims of gender-based violence and domestic abuse:
Herts Domestic Abuse Helpline and St Albans and Hertsmere Women’s Refuge
Follow the campaign with the hashtag #OrangeTheWorldHerts
Please share any actions on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @sistalbans and/or email to sistalbans@hotmail.com