Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!
Date:
Today, 25 November, is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and the kickoff to this year’s activities of the UN Secretary General’s UNiTE campaign in support of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. During the 16 Days, which runs until 10 December, we UNiTE to advocate for increased respect for women’s human rights and for the elimination of violence against women and girls.
This year, the campaign is as important as ever. As the world retreated under the lockdowns introduced to curb the COVID-19 pandemic, reports from around the world showed an alarming increase in the already existing pandemic of violence against women. The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the systemic unpreparedness to prevent and respond to the ‘silent pandemic’ of violence against women and girls. For instance, in the wake of COVID-19, UN Trust Fund grantees across the world saw first-hand a dramatic rise in violence against women and girls.
In response, the UN System calls for action to UNiTE under the 2020 global theme: "Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!"
COVID-19 has exacerbated violence against women and girls, UN Trust Fund grantees are responding to the urgent needs of survivors and those at risk of violence, including those in marginalized communities as they often risk being left furthest behind.
Stars of Hope, a UN Trust Fund grantee, is implementing a project in the West Bank and Gaza in the State of Palestine to prevent and address violence against women and girls with disabilities including ensuring services are accessible. Find out about the organization’s efforts to assess the situation and needs of women with disabilities during COVID-19.
YOU can make a difference during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, you can support women and girl survivors of violence to stay safe and free from violence.
Join UNiTE: be an advocate for a world free from violence.
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Watch the Official Commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on UN Women's website or UN Web TV.
Follow the UN Trust Fund on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the most updated news and highlights throughout this #16Days and every day.