Let’s paint the town orange

Editorial

ORANGE the world: #HearMeToo is the message from the UN secretary-general’s UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign that starts on Nov 25.
The idea is to use the colour designated by the UNiTE campaign to symbolise a brighter future without violence.
All member countries have been urged to organise events to orange streets, schools and landmarks.
The day also launches the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence Campaign which is a global campaign dedicated to ending gender-based violence.
It runs each year from International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on Nov 25 to Human Rights Day on Dec 10.
The 16 Days Campaign is dedicated to:

  • Raising awareness about gender-based violence as a human rights issue;
  • Strengthening local work around violence against women;
  • Providing a forum to develop and share strategies;
  • Demonstrating the solidarity of activists around the world; and
  • Calling governments to account, respond, protect, and prevent violence against women.

“Act now to end gender-based violence in the world of work: Lead, speak, support, action” is the Papua New Guinea theme for this year’s 20 Days of Human Rights Activism.
The theme is calling for collective actions to end gender-based violence and other forms of injustice in the world of work, and to strengthen the commitment and approach towards GBV response and prevention strategies for justice to prevail.
The theme signifies the issues that are currently happening in all areas of work, whether in the formal jobs or at the home environment doing everyday household chores.
The events kicks off in Papua New Guinea with:

  • International Children’s Day (Nov 20);
  • International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women (Nov 25);
  • World AIDS Day (Dec 1);
  • International Day for People with Special Needs (Dec 3);
  • International Volunteers Day (Dec 5);
  • International Anti-Corruption Day (Dec 9); and
  • International Human Rights Day (Dec 10).

It is adapted from the Global 16 Days Activism Campaign against violence and our call to action to end gender-based violence in the world of work and in support of the national campaign.
There is GBV prevalence in the world of work and PNG is no exception to this problem.
We see it happening in higher offices where there is formal employment right down to informal sectors on the street markets.
It is happening even in our households at homes where mothers or wives are busy with kitchen work or house work while at the same time trying to fend for their families. It is time for everybody to stand up, speak up and say not to violence against women and children and to advocate and make people aware of the rights and freedom to exercise those rights.
Those who are being abused or subjected to abuse should know it is okay to ask for help and the community must know it is okay to offer help.
The 20-day of activities organised in PNG should be supported by all stakeholders, including businesshouses, schools and the Government.
Activities should be organised to raise public awareness and mobilise people everywhere to bring about change.
All businesshouses should come on board and together with the Government paint the cities and towns orange.