28 Nov 2023
A initiative to raise awareness of violence against women and girls in all its forms saw St Albans Museum + Gallery illuminated in orange.
The 16-day Orange the World campaign is being led by Soroptimist International St Albans and District, the local branch of a worldwide women’s organisation with a mission to promote gender equality across the world.
The initiative against gender-based violence was launched at the Great Northern pub on Saturday, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and aims to shine a light on the need for funding for essential services, prevention and data that shapes better-informed responses to this crime.
On Monday dignitaries from across St Albans and Herts attended a special event in the museum courtroom, including the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, Liz Green, St Albans Mayor Cllr Anthony Rowlands and Mayoress Annie Stevenson, the Lord Bishop of St Albans Alan Smith, Herts Chief Constable Charlie Hall and the High Sheriff-Elect Annie Brewster. There were also attendees from St Albans council and many local organisations involved with supporting victims of domestic abuse, including Herts Domestic Abuse Helpline and St Albans for Refugees.
Soroptimist Ameeta Sabharwal introduced the event, which saw powerful speeches from the High Sherriff, the Mayor, the Bishop of St Albans and the Chief Constable emphasising how important the campaign is in raising the profile of this scourge on our society – and enforcing the message that Ending Abuse is Everyone’s Business.
The museum will be lit up in orange for the remainder of the campaign.
St Albans Soroptimists first brought this global campaign to the district in 2020 and have been recognised by parent organisation Soroptimist International.
More on the campaign at https://sigbi.org/st-albans-and-district/orange-the-world/
Photos: Jane Slatter and Anne Beatty
