16 Days of Activism

The United Nations ‘16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence and Abuse’ is an annual international campaign.

It takes place from 25th November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) until 10 December (International Human Rights Day). Throughout the campaign, Mothers Union joins with over 6,000 organisations from over 185 countries to raise awareness of, and call for an end to, gender-based violence and abuse in all forms and in all societies.

1 in 3 women worldwide have experienced domestic or sexual abuse. Mothers’ Union calls for ‘No More 1 in 3’ and works alongside communities to help stop Domestic Abuse and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and support those who have been affected by it.

Mothers Union Global Day of Action is our response to the call for 16 Days of Activism against GBV. On the Saturday between 25^th November and 10^th December, members across the UK will mark one minutes silence at 1.03pm (linking with the ‘No more 1 in 3’ theme).

Locally MU works alongside Newcastle Cathedral, CADAnortheast, NDAS Northumberland (National Domestic Abuse Services) and NIDAS (Newcastle Integrated Domestic Abuse Service) to help raise awareness of DA and GBV and lend support to victims of abuse.

Please take a photo of any activities you or your branch are involved with and send it for our website or face book page, so we can let people know what we are doing. Please remember to get permission from all people on photographs.

White Ribbon Services 2026

This year we held two services, one at the Methodist Church in Hexham and one in St Mary`s Ponteland. Both services were supported by some M.U. members working with C.A.D.A.

In Hexham we put a small exhibition in the library and also a very poignant display along the park railings close to the Abbey. We were helped with this by the mother of Holly Newton, the teenager stabbed to death in Hexham in January 2023.

In Ponteland at my invitation, we were joined by our M.P. Joe Morris who showed his support by reading one of the lessons. In both services an orange rose was laid in tribute to each victim who had died in the previous twelve months as a result of gender based violence. This year there were 105 adults and 2 children to remember

On the following Monday we took all the petals from the orange roses and floated them in the river by the Three Mile Inn in Gosforth. This symbolised the victim’s freedom through death. As the petals floated away we prayed that God would grant them the peace they so deserved.

A big “thank you” to those M.U. members who supported us by attending a service or reading out the victims’ names or taking part in the prayers and readings. Sylvia Hickey

Displays across the Diocese to Raise Awareness of GBV 2024


Holy Nativity (West Newcastle) with their display for 'No More 3 in 1'/16 Days of Activism

No More 3 in 1 Display in Newcastle Cathedral

December 7th

Eucharist 12.30pm marking 16 days of Activism

the Dean of Newcastle Cathedral, the Very Rev'd Lee Batson is looking forward to welcoming MU members to this service.

Midday prayers will be said at 12 noon in St George's Chapel.

The Oswin Project Cafe will be open all Day


St John's Whorlton Display for 16 Days of Activism- The Red Chair although empty is next or near folks sitting near by and so remembered. As are the folks lost through war bringing all together within the body of our church....

Amble Mothers' Union's display to mark the 16 Days of Activism Campaign. It started off as a display at our Xmas Fayre on Saturday, then got moved over to Church.

Mothers` Union and C.A.D.A. (Christians Against Domestic Abuse), held a special White
Ribbon Day service at St Nicholas Church South Gosforth. Orange roses were placed in front
of the Altar in memory of those who had died in the previous 12months, one for each of the 102
women and 7 children.
The service was led by the Rev` Rosemary New and two domestic abuse survivors read out the
names of those who had died as a result of gender based violence.
There was also a moving display of domestic abuse related art and outside the hall shoes were
laid out signifying the victims who were able to walk away and rebuild their lives.
It was a poignant afternoon of remembrance, repentance and renewal.

Holy Saviours made a display for White Ribbon day

Cathedral No More 1in3 Display 2024 and the response

Photos of the No more 1 in 3 display in the Cathedral.

The display uses butterflies – shown trapped in barbed wire and some free to symbolise the victims of domestic abuse. The butterflies are not easy to see – another aspect of victimhood.

Hearts represent our prayers – and visitors are invited to add their own ‘heart’ into the display.

Four victims of abuse, recently in the news, are pictured at the right-hand side near the ‘butterfly tree’.

Midday Prayers in the Cathedral at 12.00 on Thursday 5^th December will focus on ’16 Day of Activism’ and ‘Rise Up’





The display was organised by Chaplain Rev Anne Marr and Faith&PolicyCoordinator Jackie Moore

Please see attached Anne Blight’s stories from the Cathedral and ’16 days of Activism’

Here was one small but significant way of raising awareness.

We hold all victims in prayer over the seasonal ‘festivities’.

Anne M

Download a Copy here

Response to Rise Up

Please see attached Anne Blight’s stories from the Cathedral and ’16 days of Activism’

Here was one small but significant way of raising awareness.

We hold all victims in prayer over the seasonal ‘festivities’.

Anne M

Download a Copy here

White Ribbon Day Service 2024

Download details