The United Nations Secretary-General’s Campaign UNiTE to End Violence against Women has proclaimed the 25th of each and every month as “Orange Day,” a day to raise awareness of and take action to end violence against women and girls.

Orange Day calls upon activists, governments, and UN partners to mobilise people and highlight issues relevant to preventing and ending violence against women and girls, not only once a year on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November, but every month.

In 2016, the UNiTE campaign strongly emphasizes the need for sustainable financing for efforts to end violence against women and girls towards the fulfilment of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

Through its 17 goals and 169 targets, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, an agenda for global action for the next 15 years, addresses the three dimensions of sustainable development: economic, social, and environmental. The Agenda recognises gender equality and the empowerment of women as a key priority and pledges that “no one will be left behind.” 

In support of this day, Ms Madu Dissanayake (Director Public Affairs, Policy and Advocacy) made the following statement which we published on FPA Sri Lanka social media sites. 

“Breaking the cycle of violence requires increased advocacy and more interaction between policymakers and those who work in the field. Communities, provincial & local government authorities, and non-governmental organizations each have a role to play. We need to empower girls to speak up for themselves and educate boys to take action, speak up and stand in solidarity to eliminate violence against their sisters. We must support the inclusion of men, boys, and other critical community stakeholders in addressing and preventing gender-based violence and changing attitudes.

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence Campaign (#Orangeday) reminds us that violence against women is a violation of human rights. We must recognize that violence against girls and women is, at its root, a manifestation of the low status of women and girls around the world. Ending the violence requires elevating the status of women and girls and freeing their potential to be agents of change in their communities”.

Fact information: UN website.