At the White Ribbon Day Vigil, a male line up will speak on the theme 'It Starts with men'.
A coalition of partners from across the city will host the fifth Annual Vigil for a Safer City for Women on Monday, 25 November. The event will start at 5:30 PM at Milton Keynes Gallery with a programme of male speakers on this year’s White Ribbon Day theme: #ItStartsWithMen. At 6.45 PM there will be a procession to the Milton Keynes Rose where the community will come together in a powerful display of unity, solidarity, and hope.
Co-organising the event are Bletchley and Fenny Stratford Town Council, Community Action: MK, Milton Keynes City Council’s Domestic Abuse Coordinator, Soroptimist International Milton Keynes, and the Voices of Women MK Network, which includes the MK Fawcett Group, MK ACT and the BMK Sexual Assault & Abuse Support Service. The principal event sponsors are Milton Keynes City Council, the Milton Keynes Community Foundation and Ringway, and Pink Punters who will provide hot beverages from their Bus. Other partners supporting this event include The Parks Trust, Thames Valley Police, health services, parishes, voluntary organisations, faith groups, educational institutions, and businesses.
This Annual Vigil is a key moment in Milton Keynes' ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety and security of women and girls, both in our city and beyond. As part of the White Ribbon UK Campaign, this vigil will honour those who have experienced abuse and violence and call on men and boys to challenge behaviours and attitudes that contribute to gender-based violence.
The event also marks the United Nations Annual Orange the World for 16 Days of Activism and the Soroptimist International Milton Keynes Group are bringing an orange crocheted wreath which will be placed at the MK Rose during the Vigil.
A growing number of groups across our city are taking positive action towards achieving safety for women through becoming White Ribbon Accredited or White Ribbon Supporters and enlisting male ambassadors and female champions among their employees to promote awareness and drive change.
This White Ribbon Day (25 November), we are pleased to welcome a line-up of influential male speakers, and to receive support from the Milton Keynes Youth Mayor and Deputy who will attend the ceremony.
Come to the Vigil and Show Your Support
The Annual Vigil is open to all. This gathering resonates with people of all backgrounds—irrespective of ethnicity, gender identity, age, religion, ability, or sexual orientation. It is a symbolic event for Milton Keynes' citizens to reaffirm their commitment to a future free from violence for women and girls.
We encourage all individuals to participate in this meaningful event and to sign the White Ribbon UK pledge at www.whiteribbon.org.uk to show your commitment to ending violence against women.
Let us come together on Monday, 25 November, to stand in solidarity and create a safer future for women and girls in Milton Keynes.
For more information, please visit the organising group's web page and follow updates on social media.
Event Details:
- Date: Monday, 25 November
- Time: 5:30 PM at Milton Keynes Gallery; Procession to Milton Keynes Rose at 6:45 PM
- Location: Milton Keynes Gallery, and Milton Keynes Rose.
- Register here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/vigil-at-milton-keynes-rose-tickets-1036802242417?aff=oddtdtcreator
Together, we can create a safer city for all.
CONTACT:
Jane Whild, MK Fawcett Group, Mob: 07885 427423, janewhild@gmail.com
On behalf of the Vigil Organising Group [Website here]:
Anne-Marie Smith, Domestic Abuse Coordinator, MKCC
Delia Shephard, Clerk, Bletchley and Fenny Stratford Town Council
Josan Race, Community Action: MK
Sue Key, Soroptimist International MK
Beki Osborne, BMK Sexual Assault & Abuse Support Service
Orange the World 2024 Concept Note
