“Orange the World” Campaign comes to Dún Laoghaire

Padraig Conlon 30 Nov 2021

Independent Councillor for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Deirdre Donnelly says she welcomes the decision to light up County Hall in orange to highlight the campaign against gender-based violence.

The historic building in the centre of Dún Laoghaire was lit up over the weekend to mark this global campaign.

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that runs from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day.

It was started by activists at the inaugural Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991 and continues to be coordinated each year by the Centre for Women’s Global Leadership.

It is used as an organising strategy by individuals and organizations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.

The global theme for this year’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, which will run from 25 November to 10 December 2021, is “Orange the world: End violence against women now!”

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council recently published a commissioned report highlighting the need for a domestic violence refuge in the county.

It included an Assessment of Need for Provision of a Domestic Violence Refuge in the DLR Area and was launched by An Cathaoirleach, Cllr Lettie Mc Carthy with Cllr Mary Hanafin, Chair of the DLR Joint Policing Committee.

Councillor Donnelly is an advocate for improvements in the justice system when dealing with victims of gender-based violence.

“It is quite shocking to hear of the increase in domestic violence across the country since the lockdown started in March 2020”, she said.

“What is frightening is the lack of support when victims of both domestic violence and gender-based violence in general look for legal advice.”

Earlier this year she wrote to all members of the Seanad and the Dáil outlining recommendations for reform in this area and hopes that some will be implemented.

“There is a long way to go and I really believe that any campaign that brings these issues to the fore should be supported.”

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