From Thursday, November 25th to Friday, December 10th in partnership with the Zonta Club of Guelph, the City of Guelph will turn the lights orange in Market Square from dusk until dawn.  Turning the lights orange is showing support for women and girls that face violence. You can show your support for this worldwide campaign by wearing orange, visiting market square sometime during the 16 Days of Activism and posting a selfie with a pledge for saying NO to violence against women and girls #16Days #ZontaSaysNo #ZontaGuelph. Make sure to tag @ZontaGuelph and @TheCityofGuelph, so we can see and share your support.

WHY ORANGE? This is the chosen color by the UN Secretary General in line with the United Nations’ UNiTE to End Violence Against Women Campaign. As a bright and optimistic color, orange represents hope and a future free from violence against women and girls.

2021 Orange the City of Guelph Event will be held in Market Square on Friday November 26th, from 5:30 pm – 6:00 pm. Join the Zonta Club of Guelph members, City of Guelph representatives & Women in Crisis to make your pledge to End Gender-Based Violence and have a moment of silence for all the women and girls affected by violence. Bring a battery-powered candle if you have one at home. *Social Distancing and Masks Required for Attendance

16 Days and 16 Pledges:

#IPledge to never commit, condone, or remain silent about gender-based violence.

 #IPledge to advocate for women’s right to equal pay for equal work and for workplaces built on respect.

#IPledge to listen to and elevate the voices of women. I will ask how I can be an ally in preventing violence.

#IPledge to reflect on my own experiences and attitudes, and to educate myself on issues related to power, privilege and accountability.

 #IPledge to share the chores and childcare equally and willingly with my partner. I commit to modeling gender-equitable, nonviolent relationships for my kids.

 #IPledge to champion women’s leadership and advancement, and to break down stereotypes or obstacles that challenge this progress.

 #IPledge to supporting paid parental leave for all genders, and to take it. When both parents take leave, it supports equality at work and at home.

 #IPledge to respect women’s right to make autonomous decisions about their bodies and sexuality without discrimination.

 #IPledge to form a caring, nonviolent bond with my child or another child in my life. I commit to being a positive role model.

 #IPledge to never tolerate any form of violence or exploitation of children or adolescents.

 #IPledge to always use dialogue and respect, never violence.

 #IPledge to break free of gender stereotypes, to define my own way to have a positive impact, and to respect every person and their self-expression.

 #IPledge to challenge sexist, homophobic, and transphobic attitudes and to support equal rights and opportunities for all people.

 #IPledge to speak up if my friends treat women badly or promote violence. I will speak out against sexist jokes, misogyny, and rape culture.

 #IPledge to support children’s education equally, regardless of gender, and to teach them about healthy, respectful, nonviolent relationships from an early age.

 #IPledge to advocate for an end to sexist, violence-supportive messages in media and advertising.