25th November: A Powerful Day to End Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG)
The 25th of November isn’t just another date on the calendar—it’s a rallying cry. A day that demands attention, action, and accountability in the fight to end violence against women and girls. Here’s why this date is so significant and how you can play a part in creating a safer, more equitable world.
White Ribbon Day: It Starts With Men
In England and Wales, 25th November is White Ribbon Day, a powerful movement urging men to commit to ending violence against women and girls. This is not a one-day gesture but a year-round mission to challenge harmful cultures and behaviours.
This year’s theme, #ItStartsWithMen, calls on men to hold themselves—and each other—accountable. It’s about confronting harmful norms, embracing allyship, and working toward true gender equality. After all, cultural change starts with personal responsibility.
Leading the charge is White Ribbon UK, the charity engaging men and boys to prevent violence. They work tirelessly to influence public policy and ignite conversations that matter.
Want to make a statement? Wear a white ribbon. Craft your own or get an official badge from White Ribbon UK. It’s a small act with a big impact—sparking conversations and showing solidarity.
At My Sisters’ House Women’s Centre, we’ll be wearing ours proudly.
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
25th November is also the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, marking the start of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. This global campaign runs until 10th December, Human Rights Day, amplifying the call to end violence against women and girls everywhere.
Since its inception in 1991, these 16 days have united voices across the globe to combat gender-based violence—an issue affecting women in every country, every culture. The stakes are even higher in humanitarian crises, where access to care is limited, and risks multiply.
Here in the UK, the statistics are a sobering reminder of why this fight matters. In 2023, at least 105 women and girls were killed in circumstances where men were the primary suspects. Every name on that list represents a life cut tragically short, a story that deserved a different ending. You can read their names here, thanks to the work of Karen Ingala Smith, CEO of nia, a domestic and sexual violence charity.
Join the Candlelit Vigil in Chichester
This year, lets unite by turning our collective rally into action. Join the West Sussex Women’s Institute for a Candlelit Vigil at The Cross in Chichester to honour the lives lost to gender-based violence.
🕯️ What: Inspiring speakers, including Avril Robinson, Acting CEO of My Sisters’ House Women’s Centre.
📍 Where: The Cross, Chichester, West Sussex.
🕕 When: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM, 25th November 2024.
🌍 Who: Everyone is welcome—because ending violence is a fight for all genders, all ages.
Let’s stand together. Let’s amplify the message: Not all men are violent, but all men can be allies.
Your Role in This Movement
This 25th November, take action. Wear the ribbon. Speak out. Attend the vigil. Every step matters in the journey toward a world free from violence. Together, we can challenge harmful behaviours, transform cultures, and honour the lives of those we’ve lost.
This isn’t just a moment. It’s a movement. And it starts with us.
