Nearly 5,000 people have participated in the 'Orange' Campaign to raise awareness about violence against women, in conjunction with the global campaign of the United Nations to end violence against women.

The 3-day campaign, which was organised by the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, DFWAC, for the first time in the UAE, was held at The Walk Jumeirah Beach Residence.

Afra Al Basti, DFWAC Director-General, said that the campaign which was held under the slogan "Speak Up, Silence Covers Violence", will now be held on an annual basis to reach the largest possible segment of society, especially after the success of the first campaign.

Al Basti said that the colour orange was chosen by the UN for its campaign as a symbol to end violence against women. The 16-day annual UN campaign is held from November 25th, and Al Basti explained that DFWAC is working to link its activities to the UN activities agenda, especially ones related to women and children.

She said, "We recognise that spreading awareness of violence against women and to change the culture of the community through encouraging its members, especially women, to seek assistance from the concerned authorities in the event of violence, and this campaign is the first step that will be followed by other steps in order to be achieved."

She added that the main objective of the foundation is to end the causes of violence against women, provide a healthy environment for raising children, and not differentiate between women subjected to violence and their life partners; DFWAC is working on the rehabilitation of couples, both psychologically and socially, to stop the violence and overcome its effects, saying that separation is the last resort in such cases.

Colonel Mohamed Ali Al Shehhi, Deputy Director of the Human Rights Department of the Ministry of Interior, which is the strategic partner for the campaign, said that the ministry is working with various authorities in the country to enhance the status and role of women in society, in implementation of the goals of the ministry and its vision in this area. Al Shehhi added that the ministry has created organisational units for promoting human rights and protecting all victims, including victims of violence.