International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

Hello, 
If you haven't been on Google today, or maybe you just didnt notice a small white ribbon beneath the search bar. This ribbon stands for a cause that is very dear to my heart. 

ORANGE DAY

In July last year the Secretary-General’s UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign proclaimed every 25th of the month as Orange Day. Initiated and led by the UNiTE campaign Global Youth Network, worldwide activities implemented on this day by UN country offices and civil society organizations strive to highlight issues relevant to preventing and ending violence against women and girls, not only once a year, on 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women), but every month.

Under the heading ‘Safe Spaces for Women and Girls’, this year the UNiTE campaign is focusing its Orange Day activities on highlighting recommendations of the agreed conclusions of the 57th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW57) which took place in March this year. In April, UNiTE focused on ‘Safe Work Places for Women and Girls’, in May, ‘Safe Homes for Women and Girls’ while in June, Orange Day coincided with the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture (June 26^th) and the campaign focused on‘State Custody and Care as Safe Spaces’ . In July it drew attention to ‘Cyber Space as Safe Space for Women and Girls’ while the theme for August was ‘Sexual Violence against Women and Girls in Conflict’. Ahead of the International Day of the Girl Child (October 11^th), the theme in September was ‘Safe Schools for Girls’ and on October 25 the UNiTE campaign highlighted‘Safe Public Spaces for Women and Girls’.

NOVEMBER 25: ORANGE THE WORLD IN 16 DAYS!

25 November is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. From 25 November to 10 December, the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence, we want your help in a huge global action to ‘Orange the World in 16 Days’. Raise awareness about violence against women and girls. Engage your community, local or national government, members of law enforcement or judiciary, young people and the media. Share your actions with us by posting images and messages on our Facebook wall and your Twitter using the hashtag #orangeurworld. Find out more about how you can participage and orange your world!  

 For further information about Orange Day, please contact Anna Alaszewski, UNiTE Campaign Coordinator, anna.alaszewski@unwomen.org and visit http://saynotoviolence.org/16days2013

So today I am challenging you to go orange and do all that you can to help end domestic violence against women

6 Days of Activism against Gender Violence is an international campaign that began in 1991. From 25 November, the International Day of Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10 December, International Human Rights Day, the campaign calls on individuals and groups around the world to act to end all forms of violence against women and girls.

Orange the World in 16 Days!

The UN Secretary-General’s UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign has proclaimed 25th of every month as “Orange Day” – a day to take action to raise awareness and prevent violence against women and girls. Activists from around the world, governments and UN partners have organized Orange Day actions calling for safety from violence at homes, schools, work places and public spaces.

From 25 November to 10 December, we want your help to make these actions bigger, bolder, and global. We want to Orange the World in 16 Days.

This year, 16 Days of Activism is even more special for Say NO – UNiTE as it marks our next step to build our biggest momentum yet, exclusively on social media. We are counting on you to raise a tsunami of actions on the online platforms you like best. You can count on us to amplify them on social media.

And here is what you can do!

Raise awareness about violence against women and girls. Engage your community, local or national government, members of law enforcement or judiciary, young people and the media. Did you know that governments of 60 countries have announced national commitments to end violence against women and girls? Is your government among them, and have the commitments translated into action? What needs to be done to stop violence against women and girls in your community? Here are some event ideas from us. Share your actions with us by posting images and messages on our Facebook wall and your Twitter using the hashtag #orangeurworld.

• Organize a panel event in your university, or a talk show with your broadcaster or community radio station.
• Orange your streets with a flash mob, or walk against violence! Wear orange and carry posters and banners to mark the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence.
• Organize an Orange Concert with your local musicians and encourage them to promote messages to end violence against women and girls through their music. Invite local women’s organizations to speak about the issue and distribute information about existing laws and services.
• Organize a film screening or host a “Orange the World” party at your home! Check UN Women’s video libraryor Say NO – UNiTE YouTube channel for films.

Like the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/529558507135152/?previousaction=join&source=1

And post a picture of you wearing orange!

Cheers.