On 27 November, the Council of Europe Gender Equality Division launched an internal awareness-raising action on violence against women in the framework of the international 16 days of activism to stop violence against women. Council of Europe Director General of Democracy, Snezana SAMARDŽIC-MARKOVIC and Director General of Administration, Francis DANGEL as well as a large number of staff members wore orange to mark their commitment to the prevention of violence against women.

Throughout the 16 days of activism to stop violence against women, staff members and visitors will be invited to tie orange ribbons at a dedicated area in the Agora building of the Council of Europe, in order to symbolise acts of violence against a woman that they have experience or witnessed.

This action reflects the strong standards and commitment of the Organisation to prevent and combat all forms of violence against women, including through the ratification and implementation of the Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women. It also takes place within the context of the Sexism: See it. Name it. Stop it. campaign, which aims to address the environment and attitudes that enable violence.