UNiTE Campaign: Orange Day (25th of every month)
The U.N. Secretary-General’s UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign, has declared the 25th of every month as “Orange Day.” This day has the function of helping people take action to raise awareness, resources and funding to help prevent violence against women and girls. Orange Day calls upon the entire society, governments, activists and partners to mobilize people and highlight issues relevant to preventing and ending gender based violence.
Each month every year, UNiTE campaign will use Orange Day to highlight and promote a theme from the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, exploring inter-linkages, provide recommended actions, and illustrate messages.
Launched in 2008, the United Nations Secretary-General’s UNiTE by 2030 to End Violence against Women campaign (UNiTE campaign) is a multi-year effort aimed at preventing and eliminating violence against women and girls around the world. UNiTE calls on governments, civil society, women’s organizations, young people, the private sector, the media, and the entire UN system to join forces in addressing the global pandemic of violence against women and girls. The campaign builds on existing international legal and policy frameworks and works to synergize the efforts of all UN offices and agencies working to end violence against women.
Say NO–UNiTE to End Violence against Women
To support the UN system-wide campaign and build public engagement, UN Women launched Say NO–UNiTE to End Violence against Women as a social mobilization platform in 2009.
Say NO–UNiTE showcased advocacy efforts by civil society, activists, governments, and the UN system, through an interactive website and social media accounts. Building upon the momentum generated during its first phase, when 5,066,549 people signed on to a global petition to make ending violence against women a top priority worldwide, the initiative triggered and recorded over 5 million actions from 2009 to 2013 and partnered with over 900 civil society organizations.
Actions ranged from online petitions and social media campaigns to national awareness-raising initiatives on the ground, outreach in schools, engaging young people and faith-based organizations, garnering concrete national commitments from governments, and more.
Today Say NO–UNiTE has transitioned into a network for social mobilization that continues to showcase advocacy, news, and actions on ending violence against women and girls by people from all walks of life.
Orange Day
The UNiTE campaign has proclaimed the 25th of each month as “Orange Day”, a day to raise awareness and take action to end violence against women and girls. As a bright and optimistic colour, orange represents a future free from violence against women and girls.
Orange Day calls upon activists, governments, and UN partners to mobilize people and highlight issues relevant to preventing and ending violence against women and girls, not only once a year, on 25 November (the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women), but every month.
On the 25th day of every month, Say NO–UNiTE mobilizes people around the world to support the #OrangeDay initiative. It calls on people everywhere to wear the colour orange and take action to end violence against women and girls in every community, at home, in public spaces, in schools and workplaces, during conflict and in times of peace.
2021 Theme: Orange the World: End Violence against Women Now!
Nearly 1 in 3 women have been abused in their lifetime. In times of crises, the numbers rise, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic and recent humanitarian crises, conflicts and climate disasters.
Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations in our world today and is a threat to millions of girls and women online and offline. It affects women regardless of their age, background, or level of education. This violence takes many forms, including physical, sexual, or psychological violence, as well as economic abuse and exploitation.
Support Say NO–UNiTE to End Violence Against Women!
Tags: gender justice, peace education