The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign has concluded, with Merton Council celebrating the powerful community engagement and partnerships it has generated across the borough.
Over the campaign, we delivered more than a dozen events that brought hundreds of residents together to highlight the impact of violence against women and girls, while promoting the #WeSpeakUp White Ribbon message encouraging everyone to challenge sexism.
The campaign launched with a community event at AFC Wimbledon, where we spoke with fans about White Ribbon. We also raised the White Ribbon flag at the Civic Centre, followed by a White Ribbon Walk through Morden Hall Park with more than 50 participants.
Over the 16 days, we took the campaign out into the community with pop-up stalls and book displays across Merton Libraries, the National Trust at Morden Hall Park, and Merton College, helping us share information about local and national support services.
There were also several training sessions delivered, attended by more than 150 people.
Other key achievements from this year’s campaign includes:
- Empower Her Girls at Phipps Bridge becoming Merton’s first White Ribbon Young Changemakers
- A new cohort of female run leaders completing Active Bystander training focused on women and girls’ safety in public spaces.
- Expansion of our Safe Haven network at Polka Theatre and Mitcham Job Centre
- Harris Academy Merton students completing the Healthy Masculinity Young Leaders Project
Merton Council is proud to have worked with partners, organisations and residents to deliver a strong and meaningful campaign. Together, we continue to stand up, speak out and work towards a borough where everyone feels safe.
For more information, visit Domestic violence and abuse