Egypt’s great Giza Pyramids and Sphinx lit up in orange on 25 November, joining the global community in launching the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. In addition, the
National Council for Women (NCW) in partnership with UN Women Egypt Country Office, lit up its headquarters in orange, as did the Ministry of Justice in lighting up the Family Courts in the Cairo districts of Helwan and Zaitoun in the same colour.
The 16 Days of Activism commences every year on the 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and runs until International Human Rights Day on 10 December.
#OrangetheWorld and lighting the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx in orange falls within the UN Secretary General’s “UNiTE” campaign through which the colour orange symbolises a future free from all forms of violence against women and girls worldwide. During the 16 Days of Activism, around the World iconic buildings and monuments are lit up in orange as a call for global action to increase awareness and galvanise advocacy efforts while sending a message to the whole world that violence against women and girls is unacceptable.
Maya Morsy, the President of the NCW said “Violence against women represents a gross violation of human rights, and has many negative effects on women, whether physical or psychological, which prevents them from actively participating in society. It is also a strong factor that has a great impact on economic, social, political and cultural levels, whether locally or internationally, which requires everyone to work jointly and mobilise efforts to confront this problem and address it, and to raise awareness on its impact and repercussions on women and all members of the family, society and the entire nation.”
According to Dr Morsy, Egypt has a clear vision to combat violence against women. “Egyptian women have the full support of the political leadership, especially President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi who believes that the human rights of Egyptian women cannot be violated,” she said.
“The year 2020 saw the world grappling with the impact of a pandemic never before imagined,” said Christine Arab, UN Women Egypt Country Representative. “Prior to and during the pandemic, violence against women and girls continues to be a global phenomenon that not only has negative consequences for women but also their families, communities, and nations. But violence against women and girls can be overcome with our joint efforts, investments, and voices.”
Throughout the 16 Days of Activism, the NCW and UN Women Egypt in collaboration with several development partners are organising a number of on ground and virtual activities, while taking COVID-19 precautionary measures into consideration, bringing together different stakeholders to promote a change in the public’s mindset and culture in efforts to eliminate all forms of violence against women.
Watani International
1 December 2029
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