The Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Linda Thomas, lit a commemorative orange candle to mark the start of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.
The annual international campaign, which started on November 25, aims to raise awareness and help eliminate Violence against Women.
The campaign will end on December 10 to coincide with Human Rights Day.
One in three women and girls experience violence in their lifetime.
National research highlights that two women per week are killed by their current or ex-partner.
Whilst the campaign focuses specifically on male violence against women, it is recognised that men can also be subjected to many of the same issues.
The campaign was started by the Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991 and continues to be coordinated each year by the Centre for Women’s Global Leadership.
The theme for this year’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, is “Orange the world: End violence against women now!”
The campaign is calling for the elimination of all forms of violence against women by:
- Raising awareness about gender-based violence as a human rights issue at a local, regional and national level.
- Strengthening local work around violence against women.
- Providing a forum in which organisers can develop and share new and effective strategies.
- Demonstrating the solidarity of women around the world against violence.
To show Bolton’s support for the campaign the Mayor lit a commemorative orange candle which will remain alight for the duration of the campaign.
Cllr Thomas said: “This is an incredibly important campaign and we at Bolton Council are proud to support the 16 days of Activism against Gender Based Violence.
“Issues of gender specific violence have become more prevalent in recent times, and everyone at Bolton Council and the Mayor’s office stands together to help raise awareness for this vital campaign”.
In Bolton, to mark the campaign there will be a number of activities taking place which have been jointly supported by Bolton at Home, Bolton Council, Specialist Domestic Abuse Organisations (Endeavour and Fortalice) and local voluntary and community groups.