16 Days of Action 2021

Due to the current Covid-19 pandemic many organised events and initiatives have had to be cancelled this year.

Please be assured there is still support available if you are affected by domestic abuse or gender based violence.

The 25th November is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and marks the start of 16 Days of Action to End Violence Against Women. The 16 Days of Action takes place every year in countries all over the world, to tackle violence against women and engage public local activism to fight for this cause and ends on Human Rights Day which is the 10th December.

There are a number of events during the annual 16 Days of Action from 25th November to 10th December to raise awareness of gender based violence with the aim of preventing and ending violence against women and girls. Some of the events will be held in South Ayrshire but also pan Ayrshire in partnership with the North and East Ayrshire Violence Against Women Partnerships.

DAART - Domestic Abuse Awareness Raising Tool

'Reclaim the night' walk

The event 'Reclaim the Night' Walk has been organised to take place on Tuesday 7th December 2021 (see details below) and will highlight the need for women to feel safe and empower them to take action in highlighting the issue.

The event 'Reclaim the Night' Walk has been organised to take place on Tuesday 7th December 2021 (see details below) and will highlight the need for women to feel safe and empower them to take action in highlighting the issue.

This issue was highlighted within the media over recent months following the death of Sarah Everard who was abducted and murdered on her way home in London, whilst walking alone.

The walk will be a community event to raise awareness of violence against women and girls and our aim to eradicate gender-based violence.

Members of the South Ayrshire VAWP, the local community, students and local organisations will be invited to walk through the town of Ayr, supported by local businesses who will be encouraged to 'light the way' along the route.

This event is open to everyone, men and women, so everyone is welcome to attend and support.

Route - Ayr Academy to start/finish at their premises - Meet at 5.30pm to leave around 6pm and end around 7pm.

Ayr Academy, University Avenue, Craigie Way, Craigie Avenue, John Street, Ayr PO, Main Street, A719, over Old Brig, Sandgate, Boswell Park, Gaiety Theatre, Carrick Street, Wallace Tower, High Street, Kyle Street, Central Arcade, Smith Street, under bridge Mill Street, A79 over bridge at Fire Station, Craigie Road, through lane at woods off Craigie Road onto University Avenue, returning to Ayr Academy.

Violence against women

If it were between countries, we'd call it a war.
If it were a disease, we'd call it an epidemic.
If it were an oil spill, we'd call it a disaster.
But it is happening to women, and it's just an everyday affair.
It is violence against women.

It is sexual harassment at work and sexual abuse of the young.
It is the beating or the blow
that millions of women suffer each and every day.
It is rape at home or on a date.
It is murder.

There's no secret enemy pulling the trigger.
No unseen virus that leads to death.
It is only men.
Not all men, but far too many men ..............
............ and just who are these men?

Just regular guys.
Men from all social backgrounds and of all colours and ages.
Rich men and poor men,
men who toil in the fields
and men who sit behind desks.

Michael Kaufman
Founder Member of The White Ribbon Campaign (WRC)

The WRC is the largest effort in the world of men working to end men's violence against women. In 1991, a handful of men in Canada decided they had a responsibility to urge men to speak out against violence against women. They decided that wearing a white ribbon would be a symbol of men's opposition to men's violence against women. After only six weeks preparation, as many as 100,000 men across Canada wore a white ribbon. Many others were drawn into discussion and debate on the issue of men's violence.

South Ayrshire Violence Against Women Partnership to tackle Violence Against Women and Children fully supports the White Ribbon Campaign and promotes the campaign as part of the annual '16 days of action'.

For more information about the campaign in Scotland see: www.whiteribbonscotland.org.uk