The colour of conquest

Independence Square goes orange, kicking off the national HeForShe Campaign, ending 16 Days of Activism Against GBV:

The Ministry of Women and Child Affairs together with the UN Women Sri Lanka illuminated the iconic Independence Square in Colombo, in orange on December 10 to commemorate the end of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. The Chief Guest, Minister of Women and Child Affairs of Sri Lanka, Chandrani Bandara Jayasinghe, along with the UN Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka, Subinay Nandy, and UN Women MCO Deputy Representative, Ms Patricia Barandun jointly ‘flipped the switch’ to illuminate Independence Square.

The event also featured the National Launch of the HeForShe Campaign in Sri Lanka. UN Women will partner with AIESEC in Sri Lanka to take the HeForShe Campaign through Universities across Sri Lanka. Moreover, three HeForShe Champions for Sri Lanka were recognised for their support and commitment towards gender equality: Subinay Nandy, UN Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka and UNDP Resident Representative; Alain Sibenaler, UNFPA Representative in Sri Lanka and Chair of the National Forum Against GBV; and Samith Siriwardana, President of AIESEC in Sri Lanka.

The event involved the participation of Ministers, Members of Parliament, senior officials and representatives from Government ministries, UN agencies, diplomatic missions, private sector, civil societies, youth leaders and the media, to champion the message of zero tolerance for violence against women and girls.