The council joins the Orange the World and White Ribbon campaigns

This year, the campaign will begin on 25 November, which also marks White Ribbon Day and the start of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign. It will continue up until 10 December - World Human Rights Day.

Council officers gathered this week and dressed in orange to honour the occasion, and the clock tower and fountain in Welwyn Garden City were illuminated orange on Saturday 25 November and for the duration of the campaign.

As well as ‘going orange’, and to go alongside this year’s local partnership theme of ‘Violence Against Women and Girls Harms Us All’, the council will be hosting the White Ribbon football tournament. Run in collaboration with Stevenage Football Club, the tournament is open to men and women over 16 years of age from across the borough and will take place on Tuesday 28 November, 6.30pm at Gosling Sports Park. The tournament aims to raise awareness about the issue of violence against women and girls, and to encourage men and boys to take an active role in ending it. All the teams are in place, but everyone is encouraged to come and show their support for the matches from the sidelines!

Councillor Max Holloway, Executive Member for Community and Leisure, said:

The council is committed to ending violence against women and girls and is proud to be part of this important campaign. As an organisation, we are White Ribbon-accredited, meaning that we work hard to increase the knowledge and skills of staff to address all forms of violence against women and carry the message into the community. Please show your support with us and come to cheer on the football teams on Tuesday. We will also be showing our support on social media so please look out for and share the hashtag #ChangeTheStoryinHerts.

Find out more about the White Ribbon Tournament.

To find out more about the 16 Days of Activism campaign, or if you need support, information or advice, vsit Herts Sunflower.