16 days of action culminates in white ribbon walk
Women, girls, survivors and allies have joined together for a symbolic ‘white ribbon walk’ in Wirral. The walk marks the end of a global 16 days of action, an international campaign raising awareness of gender-based violence and abuse.
The 16 days of action starts every year on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls and ends on 10 December, Human Rights Day.
In Wirral, a series of empowering, thought-provoking events have taken place across the borough, bringing together survivors, support organisations and more to say no to gendered violence in all its forms.
Cllr Brenda Hall, Wirral Council’s Champion for Domestic Abuse, said:
Locally, we’ve once again marked the campaign by coming together with our partner organisations and community groups to share our support across a number of inspirational events, throughout the 16 days.
We stand united in saying enough is enough — everyone deserves to live free from fear and harm, and we will continue to raise our voices until that becomes the norm.
Along with the White Ribbon Walk, during the 16 days, residents showed their support and solidarity with the cause at a series of events including:
- Launch event at Tomorrow’s Women Wirral with speakers, activities and powerful performances
- Community event with The Lighthouse Centre and Involve Northwest at Cherry Tree Shopping Centre, featuring a moving performance by Castleway Primary School choir
- 16 Days of Action art display at Involve Northwest Community Village, with 871 drawings of inspiring women and 642 handprints from Riverside, Castleway, St Anne’s and Bidston Avenue Primary Schools. The handprints representing the number of women and children The Lighthouse Centre helped this year.
- White Ribbon Pledge Wall at Mallory Building, Birkenhead, where Wirral Council staff members and passersby were able to pledge to do their bit to help end violence against women and girls
- Candlelit Vigil in Derby Square, Liverpool, joining together with survivors and organisations across Merseyside
- Training and information events, Reiki, animal therapy and other activities with RASA across the 16 days
- ‘Through her Lens’ photo exhibition at Futureyard, with Tomorrow’s Women Wirral
The 16 days of action campaign is supported and created by a number of partner organisations and community groups in Wirral.
Cllr Hall said:
I’d like to thank the dozens of local services and hundreds of supporters who, year in, year out, come together to support this campaign and make a powerful statement. Having attended many of the events over the 16 days locally it’s been heartening to see the work that is going on to support survivors across our borough.
Many of these services also work alongside the Council’s Domestic Abuse hub to support survivors on a daily basis. Thank you for all that you do.
If you need support or advice around violence or domestic abuse, local and national support is always available:
- Wirral Domestic Abuse Hub: 0151 666 4914 or dahub@wirral.gov.uk
- Wirral 24 hour helpline: 0151 643 9766
- National 24 hour helpline: 0808 2000 247
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call the police on 999.
