Orange the World: an Evening of Voices and Action against Violence on Women and Girls
Join the Centre for Protecting Women Online (CPWO) and the Orange and White Vigil at MK Rose for a special joint event marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls, White Ribbon Day and the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.
The evening brings together the local community to explore what it takes to create a world where women and girls can live in safety, through 4 main activities:
1. Writing Competition Exhibition
at Centre:MK
The event will begin at Centre:MK, where the exhibition of entries from the “It Takes All of Us” Writing Competition will be available for viewing.
The competition invited people aged 11 and upwards across Milton Keynes and the surrounding areas of Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire to respond creatively to the theme: “It takes all of us to make a (world / city / home) where women and girls live in safety.”
Entrants were invited to submit original poetry or prose, with four age categories:
- 11–13
- 14–17
- 18–25
- 26+
Sixteen winners, four from each age category, will receive a £30 centre voucher.
2. Prize-giving and Live Performances
at MK:Gallery
The audience will then move to MK:Gallery, where the 16 writing competition prizes will be awarded.
At least four winning pieces will also be performed live, with one piece from each age category brought to life for the audience. The winning entries will also be published during the 16 Days of Activism, with one winning piece featured each day.
3. Film Screening, Q&A & Panel Discussion
at MK:Gallery
Following the prize-giving and performances, CPWO will then present Your Body, My Choice, a short film written by Sas Amoah and starring Paulette Harris-German.
The film follows Mia, a highly accomplished Black journalist, as she experiences misogyny and technology-facilitated violence and seeks help and redress.
Your Body, My Choice focuses particularly on the everyday experiences of sexism, misogyny and online abuse that can be overlooked or normalised, while highlighting the intersectional experiences of Black women, including misogynoir.
Following the screening, CPWO will host a Q&A and panel discussion with the writer and actor, creating space to reflect on the film, offering an opportunity to explore the issues and realities of technology-facilitated violence raised by the film, what it means to challenge sexism and misogyny and to discuss the impact of online violence against women.
4. Annual Torchlit Vigil
at MK Rose
The evening will conclude with the annual Orange the World Torchlit Vigil at the MK Rose.
Everyone attending is invited to gather together for the vigil, joining people across Milton Keynes in remembering women and girls whose lives have been affected by violence and standing together for a future where everyone can live safely, equally and with respect.
