Orange the World: 16 Days of Activism and White Ribbon Day 2023  

By Diane Law

The 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence is an annual international campaign that starts on Saturday, 25 November – the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women – and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day.

The campaign spans these 16 days in order to highlight the link between abuse and violence against women and human rights. The campaign spans these 16 days in order to highlight the link between abuse and violence against women and human rights.

During the 16 Days, UN Women encourages people across the globe to orange the world. As a bright and optimistic colour, orange represents a future free from violence against women and girls.

Saturday 25 November is also White Ribbon Day, where we ask everyone – but especially men – to ‘never commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women.’ (quoted from – Safer Leeds Partnership Toolkit).

We are asking people and organisations from across West Leeds to take a stance against violence towards women and girls. There are plenty of ways to support this campaign, here are just some of them;

1. -Become a male role model by making the White Ribbon promise or signing up to be a White Ribbon Ambassador or Champion
2. -Learn more about the impact of violence towards women and girls and help influence change. 
3. – Have conversations with colleagues, friends, and family and about safety initiatives and specialist support services available in Leeds.
4. – Join the Just Don’t campaign & Watch the #Justdon’t video on YouTube 
5. Become a Become a Women Friendly Leeds Ambassador
6. Share information about safety initiatives and where to get support in Leeds. E.g Ask for Angela or Walksafe Leeds free app. 

The toolkit can be read in full below:

16 Days of Activism 2023 – Safer Leeds Partnership Toolkit by John Baron on Scribd