Tbilisi tower lights up to mark women’s global anti-violence campaign

The iconic TV tower overlooking Georgia's capital Tbilisi will be illuminated in orange tonight to mark the city joining an international campaign to counter violence against women.

Each year on November 25 the world marks International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, while for the next 16 days, from November 25 through to December 10 (Human Rights Day), the world will mark 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence to raise public awareness and mobilise people all over the world to bring about change.

This year the United Nations (UN) Secretary General’s UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign invited supporters to 'Orange the world' using the colour designated by the UNiTE campaign to symbolise a brighter future without violence.

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women has been marked worldwide as an official date since 1999.

In support of this campaign, the UN Women Georgia initiated for the 275m tall tower to be lit up orange and put Tbilisi on the world map of cities marking the day. The initiative was supported by Tbilisi City Hall.

On International Day to End Violence against Women & Girls, spread the word & make it stop! https://t.co/cw56m5R8WA#orangetheworld#16dayspic.twitter.com/quzzNiXbT5

— UN Women (@UN_Women) 25 November 2016

Activists have marked date recognising International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women annually since 1981. The campaign became official in 1999 when the UN General Assembly designated November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

Since then the UN has invited governments, international organisations and NGOs to organise activities that will raise public awareness of the problem, stated the UN on its official website about the campaign.

In the past lighting of the TV tower in Georgia's capital in bright colours has been used to mark Georgia's participation in significant anniversaries and dates.

Earlier this year the tower was illuminated in the national colours of Lithuania to mark the Eastern European country's Freedom Defenders' Day, and in green to celebrate 20 years of diplomatic relations between Georgia and Ireland.

Find out more about International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women here.