For the second year, Savera UK and Zonta London are joining forces for Orange the World 2021.
The campaign will see landmark structures lit orange to mark 16 days of activism from Thursday, 25th November to Friday, 10th December. During the 16 days, we will raise awareness of violence against women and girls in the UK and around the world.
We are speaking out against domestic violence, rape and harassment, as well as more hidden harmful practices like ‘honour’-based abuse, female genital mutilation and forced marriage. We want to rally people to take action that will ensure that our towns, cities and homes are places where women and girls can live without fear of violence, abuse or harassment. There is no excuse for abuse.
To help you get involved in the 16 days of activism, this year we are releasing a toolkit with themes, activities and events you can participate in. We will also include information on the services available to those at risk.
To be the first to receive the toolkit and find out more about the event, please register your interest here.
Culture is Beautiful: No Excuse for Abuse panel event
During the Orange the World campaign Savera UK and Zonta International will host a powerful online panel event titled Culture is Beautiful: No Excuse for Abuse.
On Thursday, 9th December between 4pm and 6pm, an exciting and influential international panel will come together to discuss how cultures and cultural beliefs, including religion, are used as an excuse for male violence against women/girls and harmful practices.
They will also highlight the misinformation that perpetuates this belief and how such harmful practices are in fact a violation of human rights that need to be tackled. The panel will also discuss how we can work together to end harmful traditional practices.
Savera UK CEO and founder, Afrah Qassim and a representative of Zonta International will be joined by a panel including; Mansi Mehta, Deputy Director, Global Cause Partnerships from UNICEF USA, Dr Elham Manea from Zurich University, a political scientist specialised on the Arab Middle East, Nazir Afzal, former Chief Prosecutor for the North West (UK) and Savera UK patron, as well as other speakers yet to be confirmed.
The event will share the voices of survivors and attendees will be able to put their questions to the panel in a Q&A session. If you would like to attend the free, online event, you can register here.