Offenbach glows orange: City sends a strong signal against violence against women

The current figures in Germany also remain alarming: according to police crime statistics, 265,942 people were victims of domestic violence last year, more than ever before. Around 73 percent of those affected were women. The domestic environment is still often dangerous, with around 171,100 cases in which violence was perpetrated by partners or ex-partners - an increase of almost two percent compared to the previous year. Almost 80 percent of those affected were female and the perpetrators were men in three out of four cases.

More than half of all registered offenses were physical assaults, around a quarter were threats, coercion and stalking, and around four percent were sexual offenses. These figures shed light on the so-called bright field; experts assume that the number of cases is much higher, as many of those affected refrain from reporting the crime out of fear, shame or addiction.

"These alarmingly high figures show that violence against women and girls is not a marginal phenomenon and that we are not talking about tragic individual cases, but about a problem for society as a whole," says Lord Mayor Dr. Felix Schwenke. "It's about role models, the question of what "masculinity" means and education. A man doesn't hit women. It's quite simple. Women must be able to feel safe at all times - explicitly not only in public spaces, but of course also at home. The Orange Days highlight this in a special way - also here in Offenbach. We are taking a stand, together with many who stand up for protection, education and justice every day."

The Women's Office of the City of Offenbach is in charge of organizing the Orange Days for the city, and numerous actors from urban society such as the association Frauen helfen Frauen e. V., the working group against domestic and sexualized violence as well as cultural institutions, trade unions and other initiatives are involved in the implementation. "The Orange Days are a strong symbol of solidarity. They show that Violence has no place in our society," says Dr. Inga Halwachs, Municipal Women's and Equal Opportunities Officer. "But they are also just a highlight. We all need to take a close look throughout the year and make offers in politics, administration, media, neighborhoods and educational institutions."

Around the illuminations of public buildings, flags and banners, the Women's Office has put together an informative program that combines remembrance, information and commitment. One highlight is the rally on Tuesday, 25 November, at 3 pm in front of the town hall, which the Women's Office is organizing together with the association Frauen helfen Frauen e. V., where various actors from the protection against violence, feminist projects and initiatives will contribute their perspectives.

Violence comes in many forms, including sexist jokes and insinuating remarks. This is why the now well-established spray-painting campaign by the working group against domestic and sexualized violence will be repeated - and will once again generate discussion and attention: with bright orange lettering such as "Stop violence against women", the topic will literally be brought into the public space.

With the bakery bag campaign "Gewalt kommt mir nicht in die Tüte", the Orange Days message reaches many people directly in their everyday lives. Several Offenbach bakeries are taking part in the campaign and are using bags with the slogan printed on them during the campaign period, along with important information on help and advice services in the city. This is an uncomplicated way of bringing the topic into everyday life - when buying bread rolls in the morning or having a snack during your lunch break. To kick off the campaign on November 25, Lord Mayor Dr. Felix Schwenke and the local team will be selling the first rolls in the campaign bags at the Beck bakery, making it clear that violence against women has no place in our society.

Violence has many faces, and femicide is its most extreme form. Femicide is the killing of a woman because she is a woman, usually by her (ex-)partner. In Germany, 155 women were killed by their (ex-)partner in 2023. With the exhibition "Stop femicide!" in the foyer of the town hall, the Women's Office is making this deadly form of patriarchal violence visible and remembering the women who were killed in 2024, including a woman from Offenbach.

The program is complemented by a film evening in cooperation with trade unions and an art exhibition in the Parkside Studios at Friedhofstraße 59, which deals with feminist perspectives on violence, self-empowerment and visibility.

The Orange Days have established themselves in Offenbach as fixed days of action with which the city expresses a clear "no" to violence against women every year in November. "The Orange Days are an important and powerful signal. We take our responsibility seriously and are working on permanent structures and a long-term strategy to protect women and girls from violence in the long term," emphasizes Luzia Rott, specialist officer for the implementation of the Istanbul Convention. This includes measures for prevention and support, as agreed in the 2011 Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, also known as the Istanbul Convention. "Any form of violence is a violation of human rights," says Rott. "And every person who looks, asks or helps contributes to structural change." After all, the numerous cases of violence against women are not isolated incidents, but take place in all social classes, at all times and in all age groups. The Orange Days are therefore not only intended to raise awareness, but also to encourage people to get involved, offer support and empower those affected.

The Orange Days always take place between November 25, the International Day against Violence against Women, and December 10, Human Rights Day.