Orange Days: A sign against violence
Every year from 25 November, the International Day against Violence against Women, to 10 December, Human Rights Day, Orange Days are held around the world. During this time, buildings and monuments are illuminated in orange and various activities are organised to draw attention to violence against women and girls and to make commitment visible. The district of Waldeck-Frankenberg also organises various events on this day to raise awareness of the issue.
Cases of domestic violence at an all-time high
In 2024, the number of victims of domestic violence registered by the police in Germany reached a new high. According to the Tagesspiegel and Frauenhauskoordinierung e. V., a total of 265,942 people were recorded as victims, which is the highest figure since surveys began. 73 per cent of those affected are women. "These figures make it very clear that we as a society need to focus on the topic of violence against women and girls in order to raise awareness of the issue," explains Karl-Friedrich Frese, First District Councillor. In order to do this, the Women and Equal Opportunities Department has put together a varied programme together with various stakeholders.
"She Said" film event at the K cinema
Create visibility: As part of Orange Days, the film "She Said" (2022) will be shown, which exemplifies the courage to raise awareness and break the silence. The story illustrates how women suffered years of sexual violence and were silenced by power structures. The New York Times journalists Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor publicised the cases and thus contributed to the emergence of the #MeToo movement. The film evening at Kino K, organised in cooperation with the Bezirkslandfrauen Frankenberg and Waldeck, starts at 6 pm with a champagne reception before the film starts at 7 pm. Tickets are available online on the Cine K website at a price of five euros.
Creative activities in youth centres
In preparation for the Orange Days, the youth centres in Korbach and Bad Wildungen are already inviting young people to take part in various creative activities to raise awareness of the issue of violence. On Thursday, 13 November from 4 p.m., the Korbach youth centre will be holding an activity to design jute bags especially for girls aged 12 and over. At the Bad Wildungen youth centre, jute bags will be painted on Friday, 21 November from 3 to 6 pm. This event is aimed at children and young people aged 8 and over and is free of charge. The designed bags from Korbach and Bad Wildungen can be purchased for a donation at the cinema event. All donations collected will go to Frauen helfen Frauen e. V.
Further events in Bad Wildungen
In addition to the creative campaign, further events are planned in Bad Wildungen: On Wednesday 26 November at 7 pm, Steffi Burmester will give a talk on the topic "Who decides who you marry? Forced marriage in Germany", organised by Frauen helfen Frauen e. V. and the town of Bad Wildungen. On Thursday, 27 November, there will be a seminar entitled "Violence-Seeing-Helping", which deals with dealing with dangerous situations in public spaces and is aimed at girls and women aged 16 and over. On Friday, 5 December, a self-defence course "NO means NO!" will be offered by the Wing Tsun Academy Bad Wildungen for girls aged 10 and over from 4 to 6 pm. Participation in this programme is free of charge.
These events offer space for discussion, education and sending a clear signal against violence against women and girls. The colour orange stands for hope, visibility and an end to violence worldwide.
Caption: The Bad Wildungen and Korbach youth centres, the Cine K cinema and the Frankenberg and Waldeck district rural women's associations, together with the district's specialist service for women and equal opportunities, are offering a wide range of activities on Orange Days. Photo: District of Waldeck-Frankenberg