Orange the World: the North stands up to violence against women

What will the Academy Building in Groningen, the Drents Museum in Assen and the Love fountain in Leeuwarden all have in common during the coming evenings? They will all shine with orange light, to call attention to violence against women as a part of the ‘Orange the World’ campaign. In the Netherlands, 45 percent of women are confronted with violence, reports RTV Drenthe.

Common problem

‘Many people in the Netherlands have no idea that 45 percent of women and girls in the country are confronted with violence, or that an average of 24 rapes are reported every week,’ explains Annigje Odinga, member of the VVD (The People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy), to RTV Drenthe. ‘One in three women are confronted with sexual, physical or psychological violence in their lives. To combat this, it is important that governments and organisations at all levels create awareness among women and men and help break the taboo.’

Orange the World

Iconic buildings around the world will turn orange for 16 days to increase awareness and eliminate violence against women and girls worldwide: from November 25, which is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, until December 10. The orange colour symbolises a brighter future without violence. Besides, lighting buildings in orange, governments, communities, survivors, activists and the public are organising events and posting their photos on social media accounts using the hashtags #OrangeTheWorld. The global initiative has been run by UN Women since 1991. This year’s campaign is focusing on any form of rape.

The Orange North

The three Northern provinces are also joining the campaign and shining an orange light on the need to end sexual violence.

In Groningen, several sites, including the Waagplein and the Academy Building, will be lit in orange. On November 25 and 26, there will be held activities and lectures in the field of sexual behaviour and (sexual) violence.

In Friesland, the national expertise and treatment centre in the field of violence called Fier will be illuminated throughout the campaign period, as well as the famous ‘lovers’ fountain outside the main train station.

In Drenthe, several well-known institutions will turn orange in Assen and Emmen, from the Drents Museum and the Drenthe archive to the Atlas Theater and the Grote Kerk. Emmen also started its Orange the World campaign with a special Orange Walk: a night-time walk against women’s violence.