EVENTS and exhibitions are taking place across Bolton to promote a campaign to end violence against women.

Organisations, charities and groups have joined forces to mark ‘16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence’.

Running until Thursday, December 10, the international campaign seeks to raise awareness of gender violence as a human rights issue.

Bolton Council distributed white ribbons to all male councillors and male chief officers as part of White Ribbon Day, which is part of a movement run by men to show their support of eradicating men’s violence against women.

The Octagon, in partnership with Bolton at Home, also hosted a production of ‘Seeing Red’ with representatives from local domestic abuse service providers highlighting their services post show.

Councillor Derek Burrows, cabinet Member for community safety said the council was taking extra steps this year to raise awareness within ‘harder to reach’ communities with low domestic violence low rates of reporting domestic violence to the police.

He said: “Violence against women is completely unacceptable and we are working with our partners to end it completely.

"We hope that the White Ribbon Campaign will encourage more men to condemn domestic violence and take a stand against it, whilst the theatre productions and exhibitions will hopefully raise awareness and encourage more women to come forward and report domestic violence and receive the appropriate support."

On Sunday, a Holcombe Moor Walk is taking place at 11am from Emmanuel Church of England, in Ramsbottom, in memory of Ellen Strange, who was murdered by her husband in 1761.

A street art project called #ENOUGH has also been organised by YES Matters, a local community action group.

Numbered white balloons will be displayed around Bolton to mark the number of women killed by male violence in the UK this year.

To round off the campaign on December 10, YES Matters will lead the ‘Reclaim the Streets’ march, to highlight women’s right to be free from sexual harassment and right to safety.

Carole Marsden, Director of Paws For Kids, added: “Domestic abuse has a real impact on people’s lives and affects all sectors of our communities.

"We hope that the activities that have been organised help raise awareness and give people the confidence to come forward, report abuse, seek support and helping us as we endeavour to ensure that people can live lives free from domestic abuse.”