Orange the World: End Violence against Women Now!

Date: Friday, 20 January 2023

UN Women offices across Europe and Central Asia marked the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence with events, social media campaigns and much more from 25 November to 10 December 2022, under the global theme set by the UN Secretary General’s UniTE campaign: ““UNiTE! Activism to End Violence against Women and Girls!” Check out the highlights!

Visitors interact with the public exhibition at the Kalemegdan Park in Belgrade, Serbia. — Visitors interact with the public exhibition opened by UN Women at the Kalemegdan Park in Belgrade, Serbia.

UN Women Serbia kicked off the 16 Days of Activism campaign with the opening of an immersive exhibition titled #Bezbednasvuda (#SafeEverywhere) in Kalemegdan Park, Belgrade. The exhibition is an intervention in public space that aims to raise awareness about women and girls’ safety in public spaces.

Launching event of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence against Women and Girls. Photo credit: Aurel Obreja/ UN Women

To mark the launch of 16 Days of Activism campaign, UN Women Moldova held a discussion on promoting inter-sectoral cooperation in cases of domestic violence, bringing together partners from public sector, civil society and academia to discuss challenges and opportunities for ending violence against women and girls.

Citizens taking a quiz on sexual violence, testing their knowledge on forms of sexual violence and mechanisms of protection. Photo: UN Women/Miralem Dizdarevic

Info corner on sexual violence in SCC shopping mall in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, during 16 Days of Activism. Photo: UN Women/Hazim Aljovic

Info corner on sexual violence in Mostar during 16 Days of Activism in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Photo: UN Women/Toni Loncar

Info centers on sexual violence popped up across five cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina as UN Women launched its 16 Days of Activism Campaign. The centers provided an opportunity for visitors to get legal and psychological support from experts on different forms of sexual violence and harassment cases as well as to learn more about legal mechanisms for protection.

This year, for the 16 Days of Activism, UN Women Ukraine teamed up with one of the leading media houses in Ukraine (hromadske.ua) to launch a communications campaign to test public understanding of gender-based violence, provide expert advice on how to combat it and share available support services.

Players of the Basketball Clubs ‘’KB Vllaznimi” and “KB Ponte Prizreni’’ pose during the match organized by UN Women as as part of the 16 Days of Activism. Photo credit: UN Women — Players of the Basketball Clubs ‘’KB Vllaznimi” and “KB Ponte Prizreni’’ pose during the match organized by UN Women as as part of the 16 Days of Activism. Photo: UN Women

In Kosovo*, UN Women partnered with the national Basketball Federation to organize a match between Basketball Clubs ‘’KB Vllaznimi” and “KB Ponte Prizreni’’ as part of the 16 Days of Activism. The event aimed at raising awareness among the 2,200 fans who attended the match, which are mostly men and boys.

Activists supporting survivors of violence receive certificates of appreciation. Photo: Ministry of Health and Social Protection

The 16 Days of Activism campaign launched in Albania this year paid tribute to activists supporting survivors of violence. The event brought together government and international partners, feminists, women’s rights activists, as well as many others who work every day to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls. Take a look at the full list of events hosted in Albania during 16 Days of Activism.

UN Women Türkiye Good Will Ambassador Demet Evgar, UN Resident Coordinator Alvaro Rodriguez, UN Women Türkiye team and guests of the 16 Days of Activism Campaign launch event pose together. Photo: Atılgaz Özdil

This year, UN Women Türkiye called for action against intimate partner violence with the #SheSaidNo Campaign within the 16 Days of Activism. Reaching over 2,5 million people on social media, the campaign engaged civil society organizations, private sector companies and national celebrities. As part of the campaign, UN Women Türkiye’s National Goodwill Ambassador Demet Evgar reunited with her castmate actor Emre Karayel after 7 years to shoot a promotional sketch.

16 Days of Activism closing event in Kyrgyzstan. Photo: UN Women

In Kyrgyzstan, UN Women launched the #KorkpoToktotJasha (#Don’tBeAfraidStopIt) campaign on social media, calling everyone to take action to end violence against women and girls, which is considered a taboo topic by many in Kyrgyz society. The campaign supported and amplified the voices of women’s rights activists, the work of civil society organizations on ending violence against women and sparked solidarity towards their work.