DUN LAOGHAIRE County Hall lit up last week as part of a world-wide campaign to highlight gender-based violence.
Last week was the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women by the European Institute for Gender Equality which marked the beginning of a UN global campaign of 16 days of activism to end violence against women and girls.
This year, the campaign will mark the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence under the overarching theme, “Leave No One Behind: End Violence against Women and Girls”— reflecting the core principle of the transformative 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Cllr Deirdre Donnelly (Ind) asked the council if it would participate by lighting up county hall.
She told Dublin Gazette: “To create more awareness the government and other public buildings are encouraged to light up with an orange colour at some stage throughout the 16 days.
“I approached the Cathaoirleach, Cllr Tom Murphy, and council management about the possibility of lighting up the County Hall and am delighted that they have agreed to do so on Sunday December 10.
“One in three women and girls experience violence in their lifetime and there is an assumption that this happens mainly in countries during time of conflict or parts of the world where there is extreme poverty. Sadly the EU statistics and the figures for this country are quite startling.
“I really believe that violence against women globally is unacceptable and am delighted that the council will play its part in supporting the campaign against it.”
The theme reinforces the commitment to a world free from violence for all women and girls around the world, while reaching the most underserved and marginalized, including refugees, migrants, minorities, indigenous peoples, and populations affected by conflict and natural disasters, amongst others, first.
As in previous years, the colour orange will be a key theme unifying all activities, and buildings and landmarks will be lit and decorated in orange to bring global attention to the issue of violence against women and girls.
