Salzburg launches campaign against violence against women

Salzburg has begun a campaign to raise awareness of violence against women ahead of the global 16 Days campaign, ORF reports. The city’s programme started on November 13 and will include public events on civil courage and living together without violence.

The global campaign runs from November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, until December 10, Human Rights Day. Salzburg is taking part through the Orange the World initiative, with a focus on violence by intimate partners.

Salzburg’s violence-protection coordinator, Isabel Bojanovsky, said the programme was starting early because of its size. She said it aimed to inform and sensitise people and bring violence out of the taboo sphere. Bojanovsky encouraged people to offer help to neighbours and direct them to counselling services.

The city is collecting discarded women’s shoes with StoP, an initiative whose name means “neighbourhoods without partner violence.” The donated shoes will be painted orange and hung on buildings and in public places on November 25, drawing attention to violence against women and remembering women and girls who have died as a result of violence. Orange represents hope and a future free from violence.

Shoes can be dropped off at any of Salzburg’s resident service centres. Events will continue until December 10.