November 25 marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. This day kicks off the worldwide 16-day campaign ‘Orange the World’. Orange is the colour of the campaign because the colour stands for a sunrise: the sunrise in a future free of violence.

Around the world, women and queer people are most often victims of gender-based violence. Part of this is street harassment; think of catcalling, hissing and touching without consent. The Instagram account Catcalls Den Haag raises awareness for street harassment and the willingness to report on incidents. Victims of street harassment share their experience and Claudia chalks this in the place the incident happened. Claudia was inspired by the worldwide Chalk Back movement, which involved young activists raising awareness in their own cities for this global issue. Claudia realised that to be an activist yourself, it does not actually take such a big step; sometimes small actions can have great effects.
For more information, go to www.chalkback.org.

The posts of Catcalls The Hague are on show from November 21 to December 2 in the Atrium of the City Hall of The Hague. Here you can find Claudia’s Instagram account; Cat Calls of Den Haag (@catcallsofdenhaag) or go to the website of the international organization Chalk Back www.chalkback.org.

City Hall turns Orange
On Friday November 25 at 19:00 there is an opening ceremony by Mariëlle Vavier, alderman for Poverty, Inclusion, and Public Health, during which the city hall will be lit up in orange and the flag of Orange the World will be hoisted. There will also be the recital of a poem written especially for the campaign by Nart Alghabbach, member of the Jonge Stadsdichters (Young City Poets) of The Hague.

The full Orange the World is announced on www.haagsevrouwendagen.nl. And all national activities are listed on www.orangetheworld.nl.