Hounslow Council and Chiswick School have collaborated to mark the annual UN-led 16 Days of Activism and teach children about Gender-Based violence
Published: Monday, 4th December 2023
Hounslow Council has worked in partnership with Chiswick School to produce a series of theatre pieces looking at healthy and positive relationships as part of the annual UN-led 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, which runs each year from White Ribbon Day on 25 November to 10 December, Human Rights Day.
As part of the campaign this year the Council’s Learning to Respect team collaborated with Chiswick School who in turn worked with local primary schools for the theatre show: Stand-on-the-Green, Belmont and Cavendish to create a series of theatre pieces that look at the way pupils see healthy and positive relationships using a combination of dance, drama and song, which took place on 16 November at Watermans Arts Centre. The sixth formers at Chiswick School also worked with four MA students from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in preparation for the show.
Keep an eye on our social media for daily posts throughout the 16 days, as well as events around Hounslow where domestic abuse support organisations will be available to speak with residents and raise awareness of how to spot the signs and where to receive support.
Cllr Ajmer Grewal, Cabinet Member for Safety and Regulatory Services at Hounslow Council, said: “We are so pleased to have put this show together with Chiswick School. Stand-on-the-Green, Belmont and Cavendish primary schools have all put on an incredible performance around such an emotive topic.
“This project plays an important role in educating our young people on respecting their peers. As a society, we need to challenge male violence at every level and change the way women and girls are treated.
“We commissioned this piece as part of our continued commitment to tackle violence against women and girls. Violence Against Women and Girls is abhorrent, and I wish to encourage all men and boys to call out and speak up to prevent violence and abuse against women and girls. Let us all play our part in being part of the solution.
“A huge thanks to all those involved – teachers, students and our Learning to Respect team.”
The Council is committed to supporting victims, and children of those affected by domestic abuse and violence, working with perpetrators, where appropriate, to prevent further abuse.
The first Violence Against Women and Girls strategy was launched by the Council in 2012. Since then, the Council has delivered a number of successful initiatives to demonstrate its commitment to tackling the devastating effects of violence, abuse and exploitation against women and girls. The latest version, launched in December 2022, continues this work in tackling all forms of abuse, violence and harassment, as well as holding perpetrators to account.
