UNIC launches Orange Campaign

The United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) for the Gulf States, in co-operation with Bahrain Women Union and Lulu Hypermarket, launched the Orange Campaign on Sunday at Al Ramli Mall in A’Ali.

The campaign, which reflects the global call against the elimination of all forms of violence against women, lasts for 16 days (until December 10). It is being held under the theme ‘#Hear Me Too’ and comes as joint efforts to shift the culture and end violence against women and girls. The event included kids’ stations that offered avenues for drawing, painting, storytelling. Adding charm to the event caricaturist Salah Abu Idrees drew live cartoons.

Badriya Al Marzook, the Bahrain Women Union president stressed that women must speak out to combat violence in real life. “Violence against women should not be tolerated and actions must be taken in these cases courageously and without hesitation,”she added. Zoukaa Sallam, on behalf of UNIC Manama, said, “I would first thank Bahrain Women Union and Ramli Mall to giving us the opportunity to spread awareness.”

“Violence against women and girls remains a pervasive problem worldwide. To end that, the General Assembly issued resolution 48/104, laying the foundation for the road towards a world free of gender-based violence, paving the path towards eradicating violence against women and girls worldwide,” said Ms. Sallam.

“In this context, the General Assembly officially designated 25 November in 1999 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and in doing so, inviting governments, international organizations as well as NGOs to join and organise activities designed to raise public awareness of the issue every year on that date.

“Moreover, on Friday, UNIC Manama and Bahrain Women Union shall be organizing an event in which there will be several activities and it will take place in Amwaj, the Lagoon from 5 pm to 10 pm in the evening.” United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, issued a statement, which said, “Violence against women and girls is a global pandemic. It is a moral affront to all women and girls, a mark of shame on all our societies and a major obstacle to inclusive, equitable and sustainable development.

“Violence can take many forms, domestic attacks to trafficking, from sexual violence in conflict to child marriage, genital mutilation and femicide. It harms the individual and has far-reaching consequences for families and society. This is also a deeply political issue. Violence against women is tied to broader issues of power and control in our societies.