Dumfries and Galloway’s 16 Days of Action on violence against women and girls started yesterday and runs until 10 December.
It raises awareness of and encourages action to tackle all forms of violence against women and girls.
Violence against women and girls is widespread and the demand for specialist support services has risen during the Covid pandemic.
Last year, 1,394 domestic abuse incidents were recorded by Police Scotland in Dumfries and Galloway. Across Scotland, 40,803 incidences of a woman being abused by a man were recorded by Police Scotland. Around 750,000 children in UK witnessed domestic abuse.
Around the world women and girls are subjected to rape, sexual assault, domestic abuse, child sexual abuse, child sexual exploitation, sexual harassment, stalking, female genital mutilation, forced marriage, child marriage, sex trafficking, pornography, prostitution, and other forms of commercial sexual exploitation.
We must do all that we can to oppose violence against women and girls and put a stop to it
Carbon Neutral Council
In June 2019, the Council declared a climate emergency and set out a 12-point plan, with the aim of achieving net zero carbon status by 2025.
The Council has now launched its Carbon Neutral Strategic Plan, which provides direction and identifies key priorities and points of action. It highlights the importance of climate change in our region, but also recognises the global implications, particularly in light of the recent COP26, held in Scotland.
The Council has already made significant progress. There are projects underway to reduce emissions, such as adapting the Council’s vehicle fleet to electric, reducing business travel through digital solutions, and reducing its property estate.
Partnership working is at the heart of the strategic plan, with local businesses and communities having a major part to play. The Council is committed to providing support, encouragement and expert advice whenever possible.
The strategic plan demonstrates the council’s desire to lead locally on tackling the causes of Climate Change, supporting communities to adapt and change, and become more sustainable and robust to the challenges ahead.