UAE to go Orange for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

The Dubai Foundation for Women and Children (DFWAC) announced the launch of its second ‘Orange’ Campaign, to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women as designated by The United Nations General Assembly (UN) on November 25th.

Under the slogan “Build Yourself”, DFWAC aims to raise awareness on violence, abuse and exploitation of women and girls worldwide with a community driven 16-day long campaign, coinciding with UN’s International Initiative.

The initiative has garnered a lot of attention from various influencers and fraternities across the UAE, who have pledged their voice to support the campaign’s reach. The corporate sector too extended its support towards the initiative with DP World as the ‘Gold Sponsor’ of this year’s Orange Campaign.

This year's campaign will include a number of events and activations along with an interactive experience of conversing with a female victim subjected to violence. The campaign will also see a number of iconic landmarks including The Burj Al Arab Jumeirah and The InterContinental Dubai Festival City, illuminated in the color orange, as part of UN’s UNiTE campaign to symbolize a brighter future without violence.

Residents across the UAE are being encouraged to participate in on-going activities and think creative by organizing their very own ‘Orange Events’, as a display of their awareness and solidarity starting from November 25. DFWAC also urges UAE residents to use and contribute to online discussions whilst entering the #SpeakUpae campaign.

“The commemoration of this global event in Dubai resulted from UAE’s prominent role in supporting women’s empowerment and therefore justifying its ranking as a leader in gender equality and protecting women’s rights and dignity.” Said H.E. Afra Al Basti, Director General of the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, Member of the Federal National Council

“This year's campaign will focus on encouraging women to recognize and acknowledge all forms of abuse and build their self-esteem, that will enable them to play an active role in society and make a difference by highlighting various types of violence,” She added.

Maryam Bin Thaneya, Communications Director at DFWAC said, “Violence against women is a highly prevalent social ill, yet it is a hidden problem and hence a greater global concern. Reports indicate that 7 in 10 women worldwide have experienced some type of violence in their lifetime. To break this cycle we must reach out to an even larger audience and educate them on this difficult subject. We have set up several campaigns in the past few years to shift people’s mindset and cultural boundaries that will enable women and society in general to be able to communicate against all forms of abuse against women.

“Plan b Group and DFWAC have an illustrious history of several successful campaigns together. Our association between the last Orange Campaign, Children’s Protection Campaign and the many World Family Days has been one of the most emotionally rewarding highlights of our business over the past few years. As partners of the Foundation, it is our prime responsibility to ensure the communication of all its mandates is designed and delivered in an expressively engaging manner. This year we have combined sensory impactful activations with a custom scripted performing arts session to deliver the essence of the sensitive issue known violence against women,” Said Harmeek Singh, Chairman of Plan b Group     

Event details:

The public events will take place from 24 to 26 November at The Walk JBR, and from 8 to 10 December at The Kite Beach from 10 am till 10 pm.

DFWAC has started off with a trend of communicating its cause and mandate through various mediums and art forms, this year a specially designed performance around violence against women will be held at both venues over the weekends.