The campaign takes place during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, from November 25 to December 10, and continues on the 25th of each month throughout the year.
During this time, Soroptimists across Europe are drawing public attention to the fact that many women continue to face violence at home, at work, in public spaces, and online. The movement began by illuminating public buildings in orange and decorating statues and park benches with orange fabric. Orange shoes are displayed in many places to personify the victims of femicide.
In Denmark, SI Club Horsens set up an inspiring exhibition at the local library. Their bright orange stall, featuring posters, balloons, and members dressed in orange, immediately attracted passers-by and invited them to explore books on the subject, alongside symbolic orange stilettos.
The campaign’s focus on cyberviolence was represented through an orange mobile phone and an orange computer showing examples of the harmful messages that women and girls encounter online. Club members distributed flyers titled Read the Signs and Be Cyber Safe, helping visitors understand and prevent online abuse.
To strengthen the campaign’s reach, local women, including politicians, acted as ambassadors, sharing the message across social media. Their efforts resulted in pledges from 19 members of the Danish Parliament and four local city council politicians. The club also brought the message into local youth education institutions by placing Christmas trees decorated with orange angels carrying Stop Violence messages.
So next time you see a group of women dressed in orange, even if it’s not their usual colour, stop and talk to them. They have an important story to tell about the reality of violence against women, and how we can all take part in ending it.
