Blog by Róisín Costelloe, Activities and Engagement Student Officer
November is recognised globally as the awareness month for ending violence against women and girls. Tuesday 25 November is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and marks the start of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.
Every woman and girl deserves to live free from fear. Yet gender-based violence continues to affect individuals and communities across Northern Ireland and beyond.
Here’s some things you can do this November to build awareness and put an end to gender-based violence:
Take Part in Events
Supporting or joining events helps keep the conversation alive and drives change at a local level. Here’s some things you can get involved in this month:
• Project Pink, Wed 5 Nov, 5:30pm, Meeting Point SU Foyer
Organised by Walkie Talkie Girlies Society, Project Pink is their annual pink-themed walk in support of the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Campaign. It starts at Queen’s Lanyon Building and ends at Belfast City Hall. Register here
• Banner Making, Wed 26 Nov, 4:30-6:30pm, SU Drawing Room
Join your Student Officers and get your banners ready for the Reclaim the Night March. Art supplies and refreshments provided. No booking required.
• Reclaim the Night, Sat 29 Nov, 5:30pm, Writers Square
Organised by Reclaim the Agenda, this is an annual march against gender-based violence and street harassment. Hear speeches and join the march through Belfast City Centre. Follow Reclaim the Night for more information.
Educate Yourself and Others
By educating ourselves and spreading information, we help create a culture that refuses to tolerate abuse and put an end to violence against women and girls. Some ways you can do this include:
Complete the White Ribbon Workshop
Take part in the Listen, Learn, Lead programme on Thurs 27 Nov in the SU Blue Sky Room.
Led by experts, this workshop challenges the attitudes and beliefs which lead to violence against women and girls in Northern Ireland (free lunch is also provided). Sign up here
Attend the Inner Strength Conference
Join us in the Cube on Sat 29 Nov from 10-4pm for a free conference with workshops, training and to build awareness and continue the conversation on women’s health and safety. Complimentary lunch and a free goodie bag included. Register here
Take part in Active Bystander Training
We are holding Active Bystander Training to equip you with the skills to recognise and safely intervene in situations involving inappropriate, harmful, or discriminatory behaviour. We have various sessions on Fri 14 Nov, Mon 24 Nov and Mon 1 Dec. Find out more and sign up here
Continue to Spread the Word
Starting conversations or asking friends to attend training and events is a great way to spread awareness.
If you’re a part of a Club, Society or Association, you could think about ways that you could all raise awareness and take part in the ending violence against women and girls campaign.
Another small action you could take is to follow key organisations on social media such as Women’s Aid Federation NI, White Ribbon NI, Belfast & Lisburn Women’s Aid and Nexus NI. This allows you to keep up to date and share information with your followers to help spread awareness and educate them about ending violence against women and girls.
Personal Safety
While ending violence requires systemic change, personal safety tools can also make a difference to peace of mind in day-to-day life.
Here are a few initiatives worth noting:
• Self Defence Classes: this month we are running free Taekwondo lunch sessions in the SU on Tues 11, Mon 17 and Tues 25 Nov. Find out more and sign up to a session here
• Hollie Guard: a free mobile app that turns your phone into a personal safety device. It can send alerts to chosen contacts, record evidence, and share your location if you feel unsafe.
• Report and Support: Queen’s University and Queen’s Students’ Union are committed to support students affected by either bullying, domestic abuse, harassment, hate crime, online abuse, scams and sexual misconduct. Find out more about Report and Support here.
• Drink Checks: heading on a night out? The Union Bar is now taking part in ‘Drink Check’, a new initiative designed to provide reassurance and peace of mind on your night out. If you’re worried your drink has been tampered with, bring it to the bar and staff will check it using test kits. You can see the list of bars involved here
• Ask for Angela: a safety initiative where anyone who feels unsafe, vulnerable, or threatened can discreetly ask for help by saying the phrase “Angela” to venue staff. You can see the list of registered venues here
• Personal Safety Alarms: you can collect free personal safety alarms from the Students’ Union reception desk or from the Student Officers on the first floor of the Students’ Union.
Whether you join a march, attend training, or simply share a post on social media highlighting support resources, your actions matter.
