Femicide, or the deliberate murder of women because they are women? Women are more prone to abuse for over a decade, whether it be physical violence, eve-teasing, harassment, or rapes. Gender-based violence is putting millions of girls and women in danger both online and offline. Women are often viewed as weak since society is wiped out. Isn’t it?
Orange Day has been declared as a day to end abuse against women on November 25. What is the significance of Orange Day? The orange color symbolizes a lighter, less dangerous future. Also, it serves as a sign of solidarity in the struggle against all forms of violence and therefore serves as the color for International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women.
THE HISTORY BEHIND THIS DAY
The Dominican Republic was home to four Mirabal sisters: Patria, Minerva, Maria Teresa, and Dedé. Because of their gender and activism, the three of them were murdered and died on November 25, 1960. Their only crime was standing up to Rafael Trujillo, the Dominican dictator, for their rights. The bodies were then collected and placed in their Jeep, which was then driven down the mountain road to make their deaths appear to be an accident.
People, on the other hand, gathered to provide justice to the sisters. Women started to speak out against violence, but every time they were silenced by officials or other dishonest individuals.
To address this issue, the United Nations General Assembly passed a Resolution for the Elimination of Violence Against Women in 1993, defining this form of violence as “any act of gender-based violence that causes, or is likely to cause, physical, or emotional damage or trauma to women, including acid attacks.” Thus, in 1999, to advance this goal, November 25 was pronounced as Orange the world day for eliminating violence against women.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization has organized an exhibition to demonstrate the depth of awareness on violence against women worldwide. UNESCO invited everyone to post photos of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram with the hashtags #OrangeTheWorld.
The authority subject for 2018 was “Orange the World: #HearMeToo”, for 2019 “Orange the World: Generation Equality Stands Against Rape,” and for 2020 “Orange the World: Fund, React, Prevent, Collect!”.
LET’S ORANGE THE WORLD, IS IT ENOUGH TO END THE VOILENCE?
Starting campaigns like this, though, is not sufficient. Aside from femicide, rapes, and eve-teasing, many women and girls are victims of acid attacks. Acid assaults on women and girls are used to physically scar the victim – they are a serious violent type of abuse against women and girls.
Violence against women should be prohibited in all countries. Millions of women around the world are also treated poorly, refused advancement, and abused in a variety of ways and manifestations. Aside from moral and ideological encouragement, we must all take significant action to end violence against women. Not just November 25th, but every day should be designated as Orange the World Day. A woman requires both security and equality. She deserves the freedom. She deserves the respect. She is entitled to the best of all, every day!
In the end, I want to deliver my message to the world in the form of this poem-
Let us take a pledge oh human!
Say no to rapes and respect women.
She is like your sister; she is not a clutter;
Think before raping her that you are also someone’s brother.
She is not your dog that you whistle for or a toy to play with;
Then, why eve-teasing? Please let her live.
She bleeds every month facing lots of pain with silence
Why are you trying to apply your physical power to her by doing domestic violence?
On basis of her clothes, stop judging her character
The fault is in your thinking, not in her character.
Threw acid on her face and broke her wings
And her life was sued because she said NO to him.
She is not weak, She can take Durga’s Avtar and roar;
But for society to be cured, how many Nirbhaya’s more?
I urge you, treat her with respect, hold her hand and let her feel safe,
Say no to eve-teasing, domestic violence, harassment, and rape.
Let’s orange the world and raise your voice;
One day or Day one, it’s your choice.
We should recall that notwithstanding a lady and her 9 months of work, men would not be here. How about we remain with our mothers, our sisters, our girls, our partners. Let us all say in one voice, “I’m #WithHer.“
By Pavandeep Kaur, Punjab
