ORANGE DAY: A MONTHLY CALL TO ACTION TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS

By Precious Mupenzi

• “Every month on the 25th, the world turns orange—not in celebration, but in protest.”
• Orange represents a future free from violence, injustice, and fear.”
• We must not confine our efforts to one campaign a year

Every month on the 25th, the world turns orange—not in celebration, but in protest. The United Nations’ UNiTE campaign has designated the 25th of each month as Orange Day, a global initiative to raise awareness and inspire action to end violence against women and girls.

Launched in 2008 by then UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon under the banner UNiTE to End Violence against Women, Orange Day was later introduced to maintain global momentum beyond the annual 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children. As a vibrant, hopeful colour, orange represents a future free from violence, injustice, and fear.
“Orange Day is not just symbolic—it’s a reminder that gender-based violence happens every day, in every corner of society, and requires a sustained response,” said Chrizelda Coetzee-Groenewald, Social Work Manager responsible for Victim Empowerment and GBV Programmes at the Department of Social Development (DSD).
Each month, UNiTE mobilises communities, governments, and UN partners to spotlight efforts and solutions aimed at eradicating violence against women and girls in homes, public spaces, schools, workplaces, and even during times of conflict. The initiative encourages people everywhere to wear orange and actively engage in awareness campaigns, community dialogues, and local advocacy.
In South Africa, the Department of Social Development supports this initiative as part of its broader commitment under the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NSP-GBVF) 2020–2030, particularly aligning with Pillar 2, which focuses on prevention and rebuilding social cohesion. The DSD leads Pillar 4, which addresses response, care, support, and healing.
“The aim is to unite communities against gender-based violence,” explained Coetzee-Groenewald. “We want to create a better understanding of the programmes, policies, and laws that exist to protect victims. It’s also about creating a space for two-way communication between government and citizens, so that communities are part of shaping the response to GBV.”
The objectives of Orange Day in South Africa include:
•⁠ ⁠Uniting communities against gender-based violence;
•⁠ ⁠Creating better awareness of programmes and legislation that protect victims;
•⁠ ⁠Sharing information on existing and upcoming GBV-related projects;
•⁠ ⁠Strengthening engagement between citizens and government.
Coetzee-Groenewald further emphasised the importance of consistent action: “We must not confine our efforts to one campaign a year. Orange Day is a monthly reminder that we all have a role to play—every month, every day—in building a society free from violence.”
As South Africa continues its journey toward a safer, more just society, Orange Day serves as a powerful call to solidarity, awareness, and ongoing action—because ending violence starts with all of us. The Department of Social Development has called on all citizens, communities, and organisations to actively participate in Orange Day activities each month—whether by wearing orange, hosting awareness events, or sharing information—because collective action is key to changing mindsets and creating safer spaces for women and girls.