Key Points
- Bolton is participating in the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, running from 25 November to 10 December 2025.
- This year’s theme is “UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls,” focusing on digital abuse alongside physical violence.
- The campaign launched on White Ribbon Day (25 November), the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
- Bolton Council is running a borough-wide social media campaign, distributing White Ribbon materials, and hosting events to raise awareness.
- Cllr Rabiya Jiva, Bolton’s Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, emphasised the community’s commitment to tackling all forms of gender-based violence, including online abuse.
- Bolton Survivors Forum launched on 27 November, aiming to amplify survivors’ voices and shape local services.
- The campaign encourages all residents to speak out, take solidarity actions, and work towards a community free of abuse.
- The initiative highlights both offline and online violence against women and girls, calling for collective vigilance and support.
What is the 16 Days of Activism campaign, and why is Bolton participating?
Bolton has joined the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, which spans from 25 November to 10 December 2025. As reported by Bolton Council, the campaign is an international effort to raise awareness, challenge harmful behaviours, and inspire actions to end violence against women and girls worldwide. This year’s campaign theme,
“UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls,”
highlights the urgent need to address abuse not just in physical settings but also across digital platforms where technology is increasingly misused to inflict harm.
Bolton Council has taken an active role in hosting a range of activities during this period, including a comprehensive social media campaign, the distribution of White Ribbon materials, and various public events aimed at galvanising community support and education. The council’s engagement aligns with the campaign’s broader goals of education, prevention, allyship, and survivor empowerment.
How is Bolton Council responding to the theme of digital violence?
Cllr Rabiya Jiva, Bolton Council’s Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, stated, as reported by Bolton Council,
“As a community, we recognise that gender-based violence is not confined to physical spaces but increasingly manifests in digital environments, and this year’s theme reminds us that safeguarding dignity and equality requires vigilance both online and offline.”
She further urged every resident to participate in the 16 Days of Activism, highlighting that
“every conversation, every pledge, and every act of solidarity brings us closer to a Bolton where abuse has no place.”
The council is addressing the digital aspect of gender violence by raising awareness about online harassment, image-based abuse, and digital coercive control, all of which disproportionately impact women and girls. The campaign encourages residents to educate themselves on these issues and to act collectively to make digital spaces safer.
What role does the White Ribbon Day play in the 16 Days of Activism?
White Ribbon Day, observed on 25 November, marks the start of the 16 Days of Activism worldwide. Bolton’s participation ties into this global movement that calls on individuals, particularly men and boys, to pledge never to commit, condone, or remain silent about violence against women. As highlighted by Bolton Council, the theme for White Ribbon Day 2025 is “We Speak Up,” encouraging everyone to challenge sexist attitudes and promote respectful relationships in all areas of life.
Wearing a white ribbon symbolizes a public commitment to prevent men’s violence against women. The collective visibility of this gesture during the campaign period seeks to foster a culture of safety and respect across homes, workplaces, schools, and online communities.
What support is available for survivors in Bolton during the campaign?
In conjunction with the 16 Days of Activism, Bolton Survivors Forum was launched on 27 November 2025, aiming to create a safe platform where survivors can share their experiences, be heard, and contribute to shaping local services. This initiative is designed to amplify survivor voices and ensure support systems in the borough are responsive and effective.
The forum’s creation was emphasised by council representatives as a crucial element demonstrating Bolton’s commitment to partnership, education, and empowerment in fighting gender-based violence. Residents or survivors looking for support are encouraged to contact Bolton Survivors Forum to engage with the community and access necessary resources.
How does the 16 Days of Activism campaign impact the local community in Bolton?
The 16 Days of Activism campaign in Bolton serves several vital functions: it raises public awareness of all forms of violence against women and girls, including the often-hidden digital abuses, challenges harmful traditional attitudes, and advocates for preventative measures. According to Bolton Council, the campaign stresses collective responsibility, bringing together councils, charities, faith groups, workplaces, and individuals to demonstrate that ending violence is a shared duty.
Besides fostering awareness and prevention, the campaign also offers platforms to support survivors and promotes sustained change beyond symbolic gestures. Bolton’s social media initiatives and planned public activities create opportunities for residents to learn, reflect, and engage in creating a safer environment for everyone.
What is the global significance of the 16 Days of Activism?
The 16 Days of Activism is recognized globally and runs annually from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to 10 December, Human Rights Day. The United Nations, through its UN Women agency, leads the theme for 2025, focusing on ending digital violence.
As noted by Standing Together, an organisation tackling gender-based violence, this year’s campaign confronts the increasing threat of online harassment and digital abuse, urging global communities to take collective action. The focus on digital violence highlights a growing dimension of gender-based violence that intersects all aspects of social, economic, and personal life.