MVP Reclaim the Night
Over the past 2 weeks, MVP mentors have been raising awareness of the 16 days of activism. The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual campaign that kicks off on 25th of November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10th of December, Human Rights Day. The campaign calls on us to show how much we care about ending violence against women and girls. There has been statistics in the bulletin each day of the 16 days, raising awareness of why the 16 days are so important. An example of a statistic is Police Scotland report that dealing with incidences of domestic abuse is the greatest single demand on their time, with an average of one incident being reported to them every nine minutes. The aim of these statistics is to encourage pupils within the school to open up a discussion with their peers about the issues presented, and what action they could take against them.
On Wednesday the 3rd of December, MVP pupils attended Reclaim the Night, a protest against violence against women. First there was a walk through Dunfermline High Street down to the Glen Pavillion, with pupils carrying signs and banners they had made, along with many others who were protesting. The atmosphere was very emotive and powerful as so many people had gathered for the same cause with the same beliefs. There were guest speakers at the Glen Pavilion after the protest, including MSP Claire Baker. Beath pupils Lily Riach, Skye Waterson, Hazelle Hendricks, and Amelia Buchan presented first as part of the event, discussing what MVP looks like in school, the work they do, and how misogyny has an effect on education. Mrs Wyse also presented first with a very moving speech on why she is involved in MVP. Overall, it was a very successful evening, with other pupils (Ryan McArthur, Maisie Easton, and Iona Paterson) running the Beath High School stall where members of the public at the event could ask questions about MVP.
It is important to draw attention to the issues raised by MVP, and why Reclaim the Night is such an important evening. With Beath in attendance the past few years, it is certain next year Beath will be in attendance again, perhaps even presenting again too.
