This year, UN Women and partners around the world are marking the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (25 November – 10 December) under the theme of “Orange the World: #HearMeToo”. Coming on the heels of global movements and grassroots campaigns such as ‘#MeToo’, “#TimesUp”, “#BalanceTonPorc”, “СегаКажувам (#ISpeakUpNow)“ “#NiUnaMenos”, “#MeTooIndia“ and “HollaBack!”, the 16 Days of Activism will be a rallying moment to bring together governments, communities, survivors, activists and the public through high-visibility events, using the signature colour orange.
As in previous years, iconic buildings and monuments will be ‘oranged’ to call for a violence-free future. In events around the region, including a bus-tour visiting 8 cuties during 16 days in Bosnia and Herzegovina, an “orange caravan” in 17 regions of Kazakhstan, interactive art exhibition in Kyrgyzstan, a Women’s Congress in Ukraine and soccer and rugby matches in Kosovo and Georgia, people will stand in solidarity with survivors and advocates.
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, an Orange public bus has visited 8 towns during 16 days and traced the most frequently taken public transportation routes for eight hours per day, giving free rides to passengers while engaging them in a conversation with service providers about the elimination of violence against women. The service providers on the bus included police officers, social care workers, civil society representatives and other institutions which are included in the protection system that provides services to survivors of violence. Citizens had a chance to learn about their rights, different forms of violence and the services that are available in case they need to seek information, advice or report violence. Some of them reported violence while on the bus.
UN Women in Bosnia and Herzegovina also prepared a video for social media about the importance of the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence, also known as the Istanbul Convention in order to raise awareness among the public about the purposes of the Convention. The video emphasized that full implementation of the Istanbul Convention in Bosnia and Herzegovina will lead to a safer and more equal country for women and girls.
(Photo: N1)
