Events are taking place across Tower Hamlets to help tackle violence against women and girls as part of White Ribbon Day and the 16 days of action that follow.
One in three women were subjected to at least one form of harassment in the UK last year, and, globally, on average, a woman or girl is killed by someone in her own family every 11 minutes.
The ’16 Days of Activism’ campaign runs from Friday 25 November (the UN’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) to Saturday 10 December (Human Rights Day).
Friday 25 November also marks White Ribbon Day - an international effort to end violence against women with the basic principle of speaking out against all forms of violence.
Tower Hamlets Council supports both campaigns. Our award-winning VAWG team (Violence against women and girls) work in the borough with partner organisations to prevent violence against women and girls and reduce the harm it causes to individuals, families, and the community. For more information visit www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/vawg
How to get involved
You can see a full list of the events we have planned here.
Men and women can also make the promise to never commit, excuse or remain silent about male violence against women by signing the White Ribbon online pledge.
Men are encouraged to wear a white ribbon for the 16 days to show their support to women and their condemnation of gender-based crime.
Lutfur Rahman, Mayor of Tower Hamlets, said:
“Women and girls should feel safe anywhere. It is simply abhorrent that one in three women in the UK suffer from at least one form of harassment.
“Together we can make a difference. I urge everyone to join me in signing the White Ribbon pledge never to commit, excuse, or remain silent about male violence against women. I particularly want to appeal to men as we can make a huge difference by talking about this issue, being vigilant and calling it out if we see it.”
Menara Ahmed, senior VAWG, Domestic Abuse and Hate Crime Manager, said:
“It is so important that we all unite to show that there is no place for gender-based crime in Tower Hamlets, and the world.
“We have a number of activities planned in Tower Hamlets to highlight the issue, provide support to victims, and educate people, including a support service for victims, a webinar helping people identify misogyny and other dangerous behaviour, a sexual abuse webinar, and a conference highlighting how the council is working to bring perpetrators to justice.”
Getting support
- If you are experiencing or have witnessed domestic abuse, please call 999 if it’s an emergency, or see a detailed list of organisations that can help here.
- If you are a victim of domestic abuse, you can access support locally through Solace on 0203 795 5064.
- If you are worried about how you are treating your partner or family member, you can access support through the Respect helpline on 0808 802 4040.
Posted on Thursday 24th November 2022