5 things to know about UN's #OrangeTheWorld campaign

Orange the World: End Violence against Women and Girls. Every year #OrangeTheWorld campaign makes a mega effort to spread the word about ending gender based violence. Youth from every part of the world are invited to engage and give priority to this special cause. #OrangeTheWorld campaign's main objective is to drive awareness among youth about violence against women and girls.

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an international campaign which takes place each year and runs from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) to 10 December (Human Rights Day). Widely known as the ‘16 Days Campaign’, it’s known to be the prevention campaign to end violation against women and girls. It was originated in the first Women's Global Leadership Institute in 1991 and is coordinated by the Center for Women's Global Leadership. Any individuals and organizations can participate.

1. This year the UN Secretary-General’s UNiTE is keeping the world orange throughout 16 days. This activism starts on 25th November till 10^th December. People participate to taking action, 'oranging' the world, and calling for political commitments to be matched with meaningful action and adequate resources to end violence against women and girls worldwide.

2. In support of this civil society initiative, the United Nations Secretary-General’s campaign UNiTE to End Violence against Women with calls for global action to increase worldwide awareness and create opportunities for discussion about challenges and solutions.

3. In 2014, the UNiTE campaign called on governments, UN entities, civil society organizations and individuals across the world to ‘orange their neighbourhoods’ to raise public awareness about the issue of violence against women and girls. India this year has participated by turning India Gate orange during the campaign period.

4. As one of the official colours of the UNiTE campaign symbolizing a brighter future and a world free from violence against women and girls, the colour orange was once again a uniting theme throughout all events.

5. ‘Orange’ activities are organized in more than 70 countries around the world and more than 100 million people are reached through social media sparking a global conversation, new commitments and initiatives.

Calling on youth to consider organizing events outside traditional spaces for activism. These activities are meant to be organized in smaller towns or rural areas and reaching out to new audiences by organizing activities in spaces such as open houses, clubs, places of worship, shopping malls, banks, police stations, hospitals, market places, post offices and bus stations and even schools. Let’s make them orange, let’s make them aware!

End Violence / Europa / Unwomen