Council proudly supports White Ribbon Day and Orange the World campaigns

Welwyn Hatfield Mayor Cllr Lynn Chesterman OBE, WHBC Chief Executive Ka Ng, and council officers gathered on International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (25 November), wearing orange to highlight the start of the Orange the World campaign. The campaign will continue with 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence until World Human Rights Day on 10 December.

The clock tower above the council’s Campus East building in Welwyn Garden City has been illuminated orange and the Coronation Fountain in Parkway turned orange for the 16 Days of Activism. Orange is the signature colour for the campaign, representing a future free from violence against women and girls.

In partnership with Stevenage FC Foundation, the council has organised a free, five-a-side football tournament on Thursday 27 November to mark White Ribbon Day, which aims to prevent violence against women and girls by raising awareness and encouraging men to be part of the solution.

The football tournament includes both male and female teams and will take place from 6.30pm at Gosling Sports Park, Welwyn Garden City. Participants will be able to make their own White Ribbon pledges and take away resources to spread the word about the campaign. All the teams have now signed up, but everyone is encouraged to come and show their support from the sidelines!

Councillor Sandreni Bonfante, Executive Member, Environment, said:

“We are proud to be part of these hugely important campaigns to bring an end to violence against women and girls and create a world of equality and safety.

“We are committed to preventing all forms of gender-based violence by promoting gender equality, raising awareness, and ensuring that both men and women are part of the solution.

“I encourage everyone to show their support for these campaigns by wearing orange on 25 November and cheering on the teams on 27 November.”