Five cartoon generic women from different cultures and ages on a arty sunrise darker orange background

Let’s #OrangetheWorld

The International Trade Centre supports #OrangetheWorld

Every year, the United Nations brings the world together for a 16-day campaign to raise awareness about gender-based violence. Starting on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and running through 10 December, Human Rights Day, the campaign highlights the urgent need for global action. Violence against women and girls remains one of the most pervasive human rights violations, cutting across borders, cultures, and communities.

#OrangeTheWorld 2024

2024 #OrangeTheWorld: Taking action to end violence against women and girls

Orange the World at the UN

For UN organizations and employees, the campaign is a call to amplify collective efforts, advocate for systemic change, and work toward a future free from violence. This year, the #OrangeTheWorld campaign introduces the #ITakeMyHatOff initiative, a powerful symbol of respect for survivors and a tribute to the advocates driving change. The colour orange plays a key role in this global movement, representing hope and a brighter future free from violence. From wearing orange to “oranging” digital spaces and public landmarks, the colour unifies participants and visually communicates solidarity.

This campaign is not just about raising awareness—it’s about using our platforms, networks, and voices to challenge norms, demand accountability, and support solutions that protect women and girls. By standing together, we reaffirm our commitment to ending violence and creating a safer, more equitable world.

#OrangetheWorld 2022

Activities throughout the 16 days centre on the UNiTE campaign, which calls on the entire UN system to work with governments, civil society, the private sector, and the media to join forces to end violence against women and girls.

Among the main goals:

Amplify the voices of feminist women’s movements
Call for greater funding for girl-led & women’s rights organizations
Advocate for strengthening of protection mechanisms to prevent and eliminate violence
Promote the leadership of women and girls in their diversity and their meaningful participation in political, policy making and decision-making spaces

A social media toolkit offers free resources to help promote activities around the 16 days.

Blurred woman in background holding a clementine with NO written on it in foreground, in focus

Woman with long hair with back to camera writing "#Orange The World" on a white wall in orange

Pamela Coke-Hamilton, ED of ITC, is blurred in the background of this image, and is holding an orange clementine with the word NO written on it.

Young, serious-looking woman with long dark hair in a black shirt, against a grey ITC background, holding an orange notebook over half of her face lengthways

View the photo album

#OrangetheWorld 2021

ITC's MenEngage programme

Five men in black and white holding orange items looking serious

ITC

To move the needle towards gender parity, ITC has introduced a MenEngage Pilot project in 2021 as part of its mentoring programme, which created a space for male colleagues to explore the constructs that create and perpetuate a lack of gender equality in the workplace.

The pilot was based on the premise that gender equality, as an end goal, is the responsibility of everyone. It is not an issue that will be solved without active male engagement and without critical engagement with the normative social constructs that shape all gender identities and relationships. Real equality based on a redefinition of these norms and societal expectations is a win for all - and men play an active role in this change.

A group of 11 male mentees, guided by MenEngage expert Michael Kaufman, went through multiple training sessions to reflect, share, and learn on their journey to becoming male Gender Champions.