Orange Day in Lower Saxony: Together against violence against women!

Orange Day in Lower Saxony: Together against violence against women!

Today, November 25, 2025, the International Day against Violence against Women, also known as “Orange Day”, takes place in Lower Saxony. On this special date, numerous actions are planned to draw attention to the frightening figures and the need for support for victims of violence. There will be a variety of events, especially in the cities of Hanover and Göttingen, that will make it clear that decisive action must be taken against violence against women. NDR reports on the various program items, including the “Orange Day Run” in Hanover.

This run is taking place for the second time and has the motto: “STOP violence against women”. The route of around five kilometers takes participants through the city center and begins at Human Rights Square. Mayor Belit Onay expects a lively participation with over 1,200 running enthusiasts. The proceeds of five euros per person benefit the Hanover Women's Emergency Hotline, which offers important support for women who have experienced sexual violence.

Promotions and support offers

What's happening in Göttingen? The police department here has declared the month of action against sexual violence for the entire month of November. What is particularly eye-catching is the depiction of the service building, which is illuminated in impressive orange today. President Tanja Wulff-Bruhn calls for greater focus to be placed on the issue of sexual violence. In addition to the more traditional campaigns, there are also modern approaches such as a podcast about toxic relationships and intimate partner violence.

As part of these campaigns, the traveling exhibition “What I wore” will also be presented in Northeim. Shown here are items of clothing worn by women during their experiences of sexual assault. Such actions are not only intended to provide information, but also to create a space for discussion and reflection.

The grim reality of violence against women

The figures on violence against women speak for themselves. In 2024, 308 women were violently killed in Germany, most of them by (ex-)partners. These are alarming statistics that only show the tip of the iceberg, as many abuses remain hidden. According to that Statista Around 71% of victims of domestic violence are women, and almost 100% of victims of sexual offenses are also female.

In particular, femicide, the killing of women solely because of their gender, shows a worrying trend. In North Rhine-Westphalia, the number of femicides rose from 55 cases in 2022 to 72 in 2024. These acts are often characterized by a frightening motivational mix of male possessiveness and contempt for women, which underlines the urgency of raising awareness of this issue.

Offers of help and prevention

There are numerous offers of help for women who become victims of violence. The nationwide helpline “Violence against Women” can be reached around the clock on 116 016 and in 18 languages. In Lower Saxony, organizations such as the Hannover Women's Emergency Hotline are also available to provide support. These charities are a ray of hope in the darkness that many women experience.

During “Orange Day” it becomes clear that the issue of violence against women cannot remain private. Events such as the interactive room installation “RosenZimmer” in the DRK violence protection center in Cloppenburg address violence in the home and are intended to raise awareness of what many women go through every day. Initiatives and actions like these underline that it is time to break the silence and find the courage to speak up.

In summary, “Orange Day” shows that the fight against violence against women is a task for society as a whole that requires commitment from everyone. Only together can we bring about change and offer those affected the support they urgently need. Let's join together and take a stand against violence - not just today, but all year round.