Tbilisi TV Tower lit in orange to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

At the initiative of the UN Women Country Office in Georgia and with the support of the Office of Tbilisi’s Mayor, the TV broadcasting Tower in Tbilisi was lit in orange. With this symbolic gesture, Tbilisi joined the global orange the world campaign.

Numerous cities across the world are demonstrating their support to the campaign against gender violence by lighting their iconic buildings in orange, the official color of the campaign. Orange also dominates the many events held in connection with this day. This year, the UN Secretary General’s long standing campaign UNiTE to End Violence Against Women calls upon governments and civil society to unite under the slogan “Orange the World: Raise Money to End Violence against Women and Girls”.

Violence against women and girls is a gross violation of human rights and is deep-rooted in gender stereotypes. Violence affects not only the victims but also their families and network. Violence against women and girls is not an inevitable or insurmountable problem, however. It can be eradicated through the protection of women’s rights and actions to prevent violence, as well as by ensuring protection and support to the victims of violence.

In Georgia, significant progress has been achieved in recent years in terms of revealing cases of violence against women and responding to them. The legislation has been improved along with the mechanisms of coordinated response to violence. State shelters and crisis centers have been established to support the victims of violence. As such, resolution of this problem depends largely on political will, capacity building and funding to support the authorized persons and bodies.

“By lighting one of the symbols of Tbilisi in orange, the UN Women Country Office in Georgia and Tbilisi Municipality once again emphasize the importance of efforts to end violence against women,” notes Ms. Erika Kvapilova, UN Women Country Representative for Georgia. “It is delightful that the capital of Georgia will join this tradition.”

The 16 day long international campaign against gender violence has taken place since the early 1990's. It pursues the aim to raise awareness among the public and demonstrate solidarity with victims of gender violence. The key message of the UN Secretary General’s theme this year – to raise money to end violence against women and girls – stresses the importance of investing into the action against violence against women.