Orange the World – End Violence Against Women

Orange the World – The United Nation’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (25 November)

Orange the World this November and help end violence against women worldwide by joining in on this UN campaign.

The United Nations’ International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women was established in 1999 to combat and raise awareness of various forms of violence against women: physical, sexual and psychological. Within these spheres, violence against women extends to rape, forced marriage, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), child marriage and human trafficking.

Although it has been well over 20 years since the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women was adopted by the General Assembly in 1993, women are still subjected to gender-based violence with a staggering 1 in 3 women experiencing some form of violence in their lifetime.

This serious pandemic, affecting women of all races, religions and economic background is not only a crime, but a clear violation of human rights and frighteningly very common in a domestic settings than we like to think. Up to 70 per cent of women are subjected to violence by an intimate partner, and in 2012, 1 in 2 women were killed by their partners or family.

“Orange the World??? is a 16 day campaign that extends from 25 November to 10 December with the aim to end violence by promoting public awareness and encouraging everyone to stand against any form of gender-based violence. The UN selected the colour orange to symbolise a brighter future without violence. A future where women can live with the fear of harm. More than 70 countries around the world are hosting events to raise global awareness. Iconic buildings, such as the Empire State Building and the Sphinx and Pyramids at Giza in Egypt (see image above) have even been illuminated in orange to mark the occasion. Everyone is encouraged to join and organise events, flash mobs, marches, or simply orange their social media accounts.

To address this complex issue, national authorities and local organisations worldwide have worked within the communities to alleviate women’s condition by tackling the problem at its roots: supporting the survivors, educating the young, driving a wave of change through sensitisation campaigns.

Al-Khair Foundation, as a leading Muslim charity in the UK, is active in its efforts in promoting women empowerment and ending violence against girls and women through our extensive livelihood programmes. In line with the Islamic ethos of caring for society’s most vulnerable and marginalised, we fund community support projects, which provide aid and assistance to women suffering from domestic violence, as well as running global livelihood sponsorship programs to help women reach their full potential and break the chains of poverty.

AKF’s projects towards Women’s Rights:

“Protecting out Pearls” Community Support Project

Through this project, we were able to place 139 vulnerable women and children into decent accommodation. Others received counselling and help finding voluntary work where they could build their confidence and learn new skills.

Widow and Vulnerable Persons Sponsorship

For those without the means or ability to earn a living, poverty is a life sentence. Al-Khair Foundation works to improve the situation of vulnerable people like widows, the disabled and the elderly. We provide financial support, food, clothing and housing. We run livelihood projects for widows, which provide them with training, work tools and often eventually employment.

Community Organisation Sponsorship

Al-Khair Foundation is keen to support local community organisations that are making a difference in UK and overseas through partnerships and financial support.

The power of livelihood programmes can never be underestimated. Alliance Ntakwinja, a rape survivor in Democratic Republic of Congo who was subjected to sexual violence by four men while her husband was tied to a tree in 2005. Although she may never escape the truly horrific ordeal 10 years ago, the opportunity to train and work as a soap maker courtesy of Women for Women has meant that Alliance is able to turn her life around and feel empowered: “Now I am freer and more independent.???

Through livelihood projects, victims of violence have the ability to turn their lives around and create a brighter future for themselves and their family. Together we can end violence against women and girls worldwide and empower them to lead more fulfilling lives. With your help, we can reach out to more women across the globe and support them through our livelihood programmes. Please donate here