We are supporting White Ribbon Day on Tuesday 25 November and the Orange the World campaign
St Albans City and District Council is supporting White Ribbon Day - the global campaign to end male violence against women - on Tuesday 25 November.
The Council gained White Ribbon status three years ago, pledging to raise awareness of male violence against women and to be vocal about the issue.
It also promised to ensure women across the District who experience violence know that help is available.
White Ribbon is the UK’s leading charity that engages men and boys to end violence against women and girls. Its aim is to prevent violence by addressing the root causes.
The theme of this year’s White Ribbon Day is #wespeakup – a call for people to point out abuse and create a world where everyone is safe, equal and respected.
This year, the Council will be holding a staff training session on White Ribbon Day about the campaign’s aims and how people can make a stand.
In addition, officers are working with the St Albans District branch of Soroptimist International, a global women’s organisation, to highlight the UN’s Orange the World initiative.
This is a campaign with similar aims to White Ribbon Day, the colour orange symbolising a brighter future free of violence against women.
The Soroptimists have been given the use of the Council Chamber at the Civic Centre to launch their campaign on Tuesday 25 November.
Before that event, there will be a walk through the City Centre to highlight the cause with the Hertfordshire Domestic Abuse Helpline.
At the request of the Soroptimists, St Albans Museum + Gallery will then be lit up in orange as darkness falls.
Among the guests will be Councillor Teresa Heritage, the Mayor of St Albans; Cllr Paul de Kort, the Council’s Leader; The Very Rev’d Jo Kelly-Moore, Dean of St Albans; Dr Nick Caveney, Assistant Chief Constable of Herts; and Emma Robarts, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Herts.
Everyone is welcome to gather on the concourse outside to watch the building being lit up at around 5pm
This will be followed with 16 days of activism by Orange the World supporters aimed at ending gender-based violence.
During this period, people will be encouraged to wear something orange and the Museum + Gallery will continue be lit up in orange.
Councillor Sarwar Shamser, Lead for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, said:
We are longstanding supporters of White Ribbon Day and are continuing with our work to end male violence against women and girls.
I hope that people take note of this year’s theme, ‘We Speak Up,’ and refuse to remain silent if they come across any instances of abuse and harassment.
We are also supporting Orange the World and the work undertaken on this issue by the St Albans District branch of Soroptimist International. The lighting of the Museum and Gallery in orange will once again highlight this important campaign right in the centre of our City.
Jane Slatter, Communications Officer for Soroptimist International St Albans and District, said:
This is the sixth year that we have been running the Orange the World campaign for Hertfordshire to raise awareness of the need to eliminate violence against women and girls.
We started small in 2020 when the Museum + Gallery turned orange for the first time during the COVID Lockdown. Since then, it has gained momentum and more buildings have turned orange including, this year, the Odyssey Cinema.
For the last two years the theme has been ‘Call It Out’ which aligns well with the White Ribbon theme for this year. We are sure that the 2025 campaign will make people more aware and more confident to call out and speak up whenever they see violence and abuse against women and girls.
You can find out more about White Ribbon UK here: https://www.whiteribbon.org.uk/white-ribbon-day.
For more information about the St Albans District branch of Soroptimist International and their Orange the World campaign, go to: https://sigbi.org/st-albans-and-district/
Another event being held by the Soroptimists is the launch of the Harpenden Orange the World campaign. This will take place on Thursday 27 November, 2pm to 4pm, at the Eric Morecambe Centre.
On Monday 1 December, the Soroptimists and friends will be singing festive songs at St Albans City Station, 5.30pm to 7pm, in aid of a local women’s refuge.
Contact for the media: John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer: 01727-819533, john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk.