Wednesday marked the beginning of the United Nation's 16-day campaign to end violence against women, called Orange The World. The campaign started on the U.N.'s International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and will culminate on Dec. 10, Human Rights Day.
Everyone dressed in orange Wednesday at the U.N. Headquarters to symbolize a bright hope for a violence-free future for women worldwide. Currently, one in three women worldwide will endure sexual or physical violence in their lives, and this campaign is focusing on education and prevention. "Violence against women and girls remains one of the most serious - and the most tolerated - human rights violations," said U.N. Under Secretary-General and UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, according to The International Business Times. "It is both a cause and a consequence of gender inequality and discrimination. Its continued presence is one of the clearest markers of societies out of balance and we are determined to change that."
Ngcuka continued in her statement, saying that "if we all work together: governments, civil society organizations, the UN system, businesses, schools, and individuals mobilizing through new solidarity movements, we will eventually achieve a more equal world-a Planet 50-50-where women and girls can and will live free from violence."
Violence against women comes in many forms, and the legislation against it is equally variable. The U.N. Women press release explained that 125 countries worldwide have laws against sexual harassment and 119 against domestic violence. However, only 52 countries have criminalized marital rape, according to APlus.
The first U.N. Framework on Preventing Violence against Women was launched and discussed at Wednesday's meeting, U.N. Women noted. This document discusses a plan of action to be taken by policymakers and stakeholders to prevent gendered violence.
For the next 16 days, 450 events will be carried out worldwide centering on the theme of gender-based violence prevention. Performances, workshops, discussions, and shows will be put on in over 70 countries. Hundreds famous landmarks will be lit up with orange light to bring awareness of the campaign, IBT noted.
