the global movement to end violence against women and girls

The United Nations General Assembly has designated 25 November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

The Orange and White RIBBON Vigil 2025

SAVE THE DATE! Tuesday, 25 November 2025

#MKVigil #PreventionFirst #16Days #16DaysOfActivism #OrangeTheWorld #WeSpeakUp #ItStartsWithMen #NoExcuse #AllMenCan

CALLING ALL CRAFTERS

Craftivism for a Safer City

We're inviting local creatives to help raise awareness about violence against women and girls by making handmade craft pieces to decorate the pillars at the Milton Keynes Rose this November.

🧵Crafting period: June to October

📍One-day public display at the MK Rose

📷Photographs exhibited at centre:MK

Crafts can include knitting, crochet, embroidery, macrame, paper craft, woodwork, pottery, or mixed media.

Interested? Email voicesofwomenmk@gmail.com

The Orange and White RIBBON Vigil 2025

SAVE THE DATE! Tuesday, 25 November 2025

#MKVigil #PreventionFirst #16Days #16DaysOfActivism #OrangeTheWorld #WeSpeakUp #ItStartsWithMen #NoExcuse #AllMenCan

CALLING ALL CRAFTERS

Craftivism for a Safer City

We're inviting local creatives to help raise awareness about violence against women and girls by making handmade craft pieces to decorate the pillars at the Milton Keynes Rose this November.

🧵Crafting period: June to October

📍One-day public display at the MK Rose

📷Photographs exhibited at centre:MK

Crafts can include knitting, crochet, embroidery, macrame, paper craft, woodwork, pottery, or mixed media.

Interested? Email voicesofwomenmk@gmail.com

History of The vigil

Established in 2020 the annual vigil enables Milton Keynes' citizens to mark their alliance with women and girls in our city and around the world, all of whom deserve to live free from violence.

The vigil resonates with people from all backgrounds, regardless of ethnicity, gender identity, age, religion, ability, or sexual orientation.

25 November is also a focus for preventative programmes, such as the UN Women's Orange the World and 16 Days of Activism, and the White Ribbon UK ambassador programme which is for men and boys.

The gathering is symbolic of the partnership taking action to end violence against women in Milton Keynes. Partners include the local authority, police, health services, parishes, voluntary sector and civil society organisations, faith groups, educational establishments and businesses. Participation has regularly included contributions from MK Youth Mayors and Youth Cabinet members.

The gathering invokes a positive vision for our city’s future as it develops and grows.

Local campaigns for action

Soroptomists Milton Keynes https://sigbi.org/milton-keynes/

Soroptimists Milton Keynes take part every year in 16 Days of Activism. They host monthly Orange Cafes to raise awareness and stop violence against women.

Milton Keynes City Council leads a White Ribbon network of male ‘ambassadors’ and female ‘champions’ among its employees and councillors, and organisations across the City, to raise awareness and promote action. The White Ribbon Day 2024 theme on 25th November is #ItStartsWithMen

Breeze Cycle Network MK https://www.facebook.com/MiltonKeynesWomensCycling/ and Cycling Citizens MK cyclingmk@citizensuk.org

Breeze Cycle Network Milton Keynes & Cycling Citizens MK are partners with Milton Keynes City Council working to tackle the Gender Pedal Gap and remove barriers to women accessing cycling as a transport option, especially at night.

Milton Keynes Dons Supporters Association

MK Dons Supporters Association ran a campaign on White Ribbon Day 2023 to raise awareness that violence against women is not just a women’s issue—it’s a societal issue that requires collective action to address.