MEMBERS of Soroptimists International Chester have been out in force to mark the start of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, an international campaign by UN Women.
The group were joined on Queens Park Bridge on November 25 by the Sheriff of Chester, Cllr Bob Rudd, and Lady Sheriff, Sandra Rudd, where they released orange petals into the waters of the River Dee to represent women lost as a result of violence. November 25 marked the UN International Day of the Elimination of Violence Against Women with bright orange chosen as an optimistic symbol for a future free of gender violence.
Soroptimists International Chester were then supported on Sunday, November 27 by Chester Women's Aid in Chester city centre, where a display of shoes, each pair representing women killed by men in 2020, was unveiled. Chester's Lord Mayor, Cllr John Leather, Lady Mayoress, Heather Leather, and Police and Crime Commissioner, John Dwyer, were also in attendance.
A spokesperson for Soroptimists International Chester said: "The United Nations has proclaimed the 25th of each month as ‘Orange Day’ – a day to raise awareness and take action to end Violence against Women, and the 25th of November marks the start of a period known as the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence.
"During the weekend Soroptimists in Chester joined thousands of other organisations, locally, nationally and internationally to campaign to END violence against women and girls. Sadly, violence against women and girls remains the most widespread human rights violation worldwide and 1 in 3 women will experience physical and/or sexual violence."
Soroptimist International President, Maureen Maguire commented: "There is evidence to show that it is preventable, if civil society and governments work together."
Soroptimist International is a leading global women's voluntary organisation. It has close to 80,000 members in more than 3,000 Clubs in over 100 countries around the world. SI Chester was formed 7 years ago and members meet on the second Monday of each month at the Mollington Banastre Hotel. For further information on the group, you can visit: www.sigbi.org/chester.
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