Dancing seniors wear orange as part of campaign to end violence against women
Published on
05 Dec 2024
Published by
The Straits Times
SINGAPORE – A sea of orange formed at Marina Bridge as 50 elderly residents from rental flats in Toa Payoh and Ang Mo Kio, along with 10 volunteers, participated in a Zumba session on Dec 4.
The oldest participant, retired security guard Richard Ngo, 89, said he loves music and regularly dances with a group.
Even as the participants – whose ages range from 28 to 89 – enjoyed their day out and the chance to shake it up at Marina Barrage, a serious message was being sent out.
The event, held in solidarity with the UN’s Orange The World campaign launched in 2008 to end violence against women, was organised by the 100-year-old Inner Wheel Club West.
The colour orange was chosen as it is “bright and optimistic”.
Managed by UN Women, the campaign calls on governments, civil society, women’s organisations, young people, the private sector, media and the UN system to join forces to address the global pandemic of violence against women and girls.
Violence against women is one of the most widespread and devastating gender-based violations globally, with an estimated one-third of females experiencing violence at some point in their lives.
The theme of the 2024 campaign is “Safe Everywhere Always”.
More than 100 countries worldwide are participating in the campaign.
For instance, on Nov 25, the Ministry of Social and Family Development of the Maldives posted on social media platform X that a woman is killed every 10 minutes in the world.
“One in three women globally experiences violence in her lifetime. Violence against women and girls is escalating to an alarming level, but it is preventable and there is #NoExcuse for violence against women,” it said.
Inner Wheel Club of Singapore West president Tan Wee Ling, 62, said: “As women, we want to stand together with others around the world in our fight against violence towards women and girls.
“That was why we decided to work with Adalena Koh, one of our beneficiaries, in organising this Zumba event for her Toa Payoh elders and have everyone dress in orange.”
Club treasurer Claudia Chioy, 68, said: “It made it meaningful for us to acknowledge and support this movement.”
She added that the campaign runs from Nov 25 – International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women – to Dec 10, International Human Rights Day.
Correction note: This article was edited for clarity.
Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Reproduced with permission.
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