A CAMPAIGN to raise awareness of violence against women and girls will launch in the Wee County this year.

Clacks has been chosen to be the host local authority of this year’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence initiative.

This will see a launch event held in Alloa Town Hall, followed up by a number of events running until mid-December.

The 16 days will be kickstarted on Monday, November 25 at the town hall, which will feature guest speakers and a pledge signing from local councillors.

The theme for this year’s campaign is “Imagine a Scotland free from gender-based violence”, with a focus placed on work that can be done to reduce the number of attacks in Clacks and beyond.

A spokesperson for Clackmannanshire Council said: “The council, as the host local authority, is proud to be joining with partners in Clackmannanshire’s Violence Against Women and Girls Partnership to hold events during the 16 Days of Activism.

“This year’s theme is ‘Imagine a Scotland free from gender based violence’ and here in Clackmannanshire we are adopting an arts theme, with the aim of making the 16 days more accessible and community friendly.

“We also hope to raise awareness of the impact of gender based violence in Clackmannanshire and share information on the local activities and supports that are available over the 16 days."

A range of events will be held over the 16 days across Forth Valley, running from November 25 until December 10.

In fitting with the arts theme, Reach Out with Arts in Mind will be hosting four creative workshops on November 25 where there design an animated film informed by survivor experience.

A community empowerment training session will be held at the Ben Cleuch Centre on November 26 to help encourage the community to respond to disclosures of violence.

On November 27, the Dumyat Centre will host an event by Arts Included to share stories from women and real-life survivors.

Forth Valley College’s Alloa campus will also feature stalls from various organisations to promote awareness and services available to survivors or people currently experiencing gender-based violence on November 28.

Various events will also be held in Alloa, Alva and Lornshill academies to help educate young people.

Further events will also be held across Stirling and Falkirk, as a tri-council campaign to tackle gender-based violence.