Our Orange World – Leaving No One Behind in Asia and the Pacific

The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated existing gender and social inequalities, making bad situations for women and girls worse. There is an urgent need for response and recovery efforts to prioritize the needs of women and girls. Despite the challenges put forth by lockdowns and other travel restrictions, the spirit behind the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign (from 25 November to 10 December 2020) remains high. This year, UN Women in Asia and the Pacific is leveraging its experience to ensure that our world post-COVID is built on principles of human rights and gender equality.

The UNiTE Campaign, with its 2020 global theme that is grounded in the SG’s Political Engagement Strategy against GBV: "Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!", galvanized action from across Asia and the Pacific, calling for an end to violence against women and girls. Across the region, several partners, organizations and agencies joined the 16 Days of Activism and showed their support by lighting iconic buildings and monuments in orange.

THAILAND

Thailand’s best known state-run university “oranged” its main auditorium, Kittiyakarn Hall of its Rangsit Campus to support International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Thammasat University has been a strong champion against GBV. In October 2019, this commitment was reinforced through the set-up of a Committee on Ending Sexual Harassment on Campus and Promoting Gender Equality, where UN Women introduced the Guidance Note on Campus Violence: Prevention and Response and has provided technical support.

PAKISTAN

In Pakistan, the President House, the National Assembly, and the Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were illuminated in orange to express solidarity with the global campaign. Advisor to the Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on Information Technology Zia Ullah Bangash, along with members of Women Parliamentary Caucus KP (WPC-KP), unveiled the Code of Conduct for Protection of Women against Harassment at Workplace to express commitment for fighting harassment and violence against women.

VIET NAM

Two iconic bridges of Da Nang, the Dragon Bridge and the Han River Bridge, were brilliantly lit up in orange for an hour from the evening of November 28th to December 15th. Once again, it demonstrated Da Nang City's commitment to taking actions in elimination of violence against women and children towards building a safe and friendly Da Nang City for all local people.

CAMBODIA

The United Nations in Cambodia’s gate is illuminated in orange to mark the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. Throughout the 16 days, Cambodia witnessed many inspiring actions and stories from young women, men, leaders, service providers, and gender advocates, acknowledging that the work to end violence against women must be carried out collectively by individuals, families, communities and institutions. UN Cambodia will continue to support government and civil society to implement these actions to end violence against women in Cambodia.

CHINA

During the 16 Days campaign in China, five landmark buildings were lit up in orange and 21 billboards at major locations in 10 cities displayed campaign posters. This included the Twins Tower in Shanghai, building on the bund and the Phoenix building in Beijing. So far in China, the campaign hashtag #OrangeTheWorld has accumulated over 92.3 million views and 540,000 discussions online. Already 19,598 people have created their own End Violence Against Women statement card through the interactive H5 page campaign.