Orange Day: A call against gender violence
- Written by John Alex Fernández Leyva
- Published in Holguin
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In Holguín, every 25th of the month is celebrated as Orange Day, an initiative led by the Federation of Cuban Women and various organizations to prevent and eliminate gender-based violence against women and girls.
Psychologist Martha Yanara Santos Velázquez, coordinator at the Women and Family Guidance Center in Holguín, said that the color orange symbolizes a future free of violence, full of hope and energy to achieve real change.
During this day, conferences, workshops, and debates are held in schools and communities, along with the promotion of support services such as the Women and Family Guidance Center, the 103 hotline, the Prosecutor’s Office, the Courts, and the Police, explained Santos Velázquez.
Under the new Penal Code, when a woman is subjected to violence, the police will continue the process even if the victim requests to stop them, thus recognizing the complex emotional stages that victims go through. This measure strengthens protection and support and demonstrates the State's commitment to eradicating gender-based violence.
The campaign "Looking the Other Way Is Also Violence" aims to raise awareness institutions and society to not ignore gender violence, by training those who assist victims and perpetrators to provide specialized care.
The initiative emphasizes that indifference or inaction also perpetuates the problem, and that everyone has an active role in prevention and the defense of human and sexual rights.
