Stripes Week

What is Stripes Week?

Stripes Week is an annual event promoted by the Epilepsy Alliance Africa (EAA). It is celebrated globally during the 3rd week of September each year. During Stripes Week, we mobilise people for epilepsy awareness throughout the world.

What is the easiest thing you could do during the week?

Wear or use zebra colours. Anything with stripes or zebra colours. A hat, scarf, headcover, shirt, dress, blouse, trousers, bag, belt, t-shirt and tie or cushion or hair.

Why this event?

The event is organised to accelerate epilepsy awareness.

What was the theme for 2021?

Share a story. Listen to a story

What is the theme for 2022?

More voices. More awareness

What is the key message?

If many of us create awareness messages and share them, the challenge of epilepsy will be lessened.

What can I do to celebrate Stripes Week? What are others doing?

Wear zebra stripes during the Epilepsy Week. Arrange an awareness event face to face or online. Share information by word of mouth or social media. Tell your story or family’s story with epilepsy. Listen to a story of someone with epilepsy. Change the status or profile picture for your social media pages

Why zebra colours?

We searched for a common colour, and common animal on the continent that could help us send a strong message. We found the zebra and its colours very attractive. Zebra stripes represent belonging, oneness, strengths, shining and visibility. That is why they have been selected to represent epilepsy week. In Africa, where the epilepsy week idea originated from, zebras are well known and liked.

What can I wear or do?

There are many suggestions of what can be done by individuals, families, communities, organisations, schools, workplaces and government during epilepsy week: Wear or use zebra stripes during the Epilepsy Week, e.g. a hat, scarf, headcover, shirt, dress, blouse, trousers, bag, belt, t-shirt and tie or cushion or hair. Arrange an awareness event face to face or online. Share information by word of mouth or social media. Tell your story or family’s story with epilepsy. Listen to a story of someone with epilepsy. Change the status or profile picture for your social media pages.