The Lighthouse in Ras El-Bar turns orange to commemorate the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based violence

^{The Lighthouse in Ras El-Bar, Damietta lit up in orange on 7 December 2022 to commemorate the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. Photo: UN Women/Islam Ahmed} 

For Immediate Release

Cairo, 7 December 2022- Today, within the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, the Damietta Governorate in partnership with the National Council for Women and UN Women Egypt oranged the lighthouse in Ras El-Bar, Damietta. This is part of the UN Secretary General’s global UNiTE “Orange the World” initiative. Worldwide during the 16 Days of Activism, the colour orange is used to symbolise a future free from all forms of violence against women and girls.

A unique landmark marking where the Nile meets the Mediterranean, the lighthouse in Ras El-Bar was lit in orange using energy-saving lights and equipment to ensure low energy consumption.

Dr. Maya Mosry; President of the National Council for Women, expressed her sincere thanks and appreciation to Dr. Manal Awad; Governor of Damietta, for her continuous support and cooperation with the Council and its branch in the governorate and for addressing all challenges to support and empower women.

Ms. Christine Arab; UN Women Country Representative, also expressed her sincere thanks to Dr. Manal Awad; Governor of Damietta for her cooperation and constant commitment to enhance women’s empowerment in different fields.

Addressing violence against women is one of the main priorities for Damietta governorate. In 2021, and through the support of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Damietta Governorate opened the Ezbet Elborg women-friendly space, as part of UN Women’s global initiative, Safe Cities and Safe Public Spaces for Women and Girls, which aims to ensure that women and girls are socially and economically empowered in public spaces that are free from sexual harassment and other forms of violence against women and girls. Damietta governorate was among the 10 cities worldwide to win the 2021 UNESCO Learning Cities Prize in recognition of its outstanding achievements in promoting and advancing sustainable development programmes, including the upgrading of the “women-friendly space” in Ezbet Elborg.

For more information, please contact:

- Azza Abdelhai; General Manager of Media Department, the National Council for Women at [ Click to reveal ]

- Maha Rateb; Communication and Advocacy Analyst, UN Women Egypt at [ Click to reveal ]