16 Days of Activism: Community, Solidarity and Light

As part of this year’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, Kaleidoscopic UK was proud to come together with our community to stand against violence, raise awareness, and show solidarity with survivors.

The 16 Days of Activism is a global campaign that runs from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to 10 December, Human Rights Day. It highlights that violence against women and girls is not a private issue, but a human rights violation — and that ending it requires collective action, accountability, and sustained change.

Over the 16 days, we held powerful and reflective vigils in Wokingham and Bracknell, took part in Reading Women’s march and many trainings, all creating spaces for remembrance, reflection and unity. Despite challenging weather conditions, people still turned up wrapped in coats, carrying lanterns, and standing together as a moving reminder that our community’s commitment to ending violence is stronger than the elements.

A special highlight was the lantern parade through Bracknell, which brought light, colour and hope into the darkness. It served as a visible symbol of remembrance, resistance and our shared determination to build safer futures.

Our events were proudly aligned with the White Ribbon Campaign, which focuses on engaging men and boys to take a stand against violence and challenge harmful attitudes and behaviours. White Ribbon reminds us that preventing violence is everyone’s responsibility, and that allyship, education and action are key to lasting change.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who attended, walked, stood and took part, and to all those who worked behind the scenes to help organise and deliver these events. Your time, energy and commitment helped make these moments possible and amplified vital conversations across our communities.

We are also grateful to the local MPs who joined us, Berkshire Women’s Aid for collaborating and the Local Councils, along with showing visible support and solidarity, and reinforcing the importance of political leadership in tackling gender-based violence and supporting survivors.

Together, we honoured those whose lives have been taken, more than just a number or statistic but to remember them as women with loves, loves, friends, family, hopes and aspirations,

We raised awareness, and reaffirmed why this work matters not just during the 16 Days of Activism, but every single day.

Thank you for standing with us, even in the rain.