Orange the world: 'Violence against women is a major societal problem'

Between 25 November and 10 December, the Orange the World campaign will take place worldwide, drawing attention to violence against girls and women. Students and staff also have to deal with the subject at Hanze. It is therefore important to constantly raise awareness and provide good education. "Violence against women is a major social problem," says lecturer-researcher Winette in 't Veld.

Text: Bart Breman

In recent months, violence against women has received more media attention in the Netherlands than ever. After the murder of 17-year-old Lisa, the initiative 'Wij eisen de nacht op' was created, which is committed to more safety for women at night. Recently, the campaign 'Speak up, man!' was launched to motivate men to address each other about sexually transgressive behaviour.  

"Through initiatives like this, feminist groups and other people have taken responsibility for raising awareness of this issue. This has created more awareness of what has been going on for a long time," says counsellor and lecturer-researcher at the Academy of Social Studies, Winette in 't Veld. In her work, she deals with 'taboo subjects', such as violence against women and child abuse.

A major societal problem

"Violence against women is a major societal problem," says In 't Veld and the figures confirm this. Every day, 137 women die as a result of violence by a (former) partner or family member. In addition, 33 percent of all women in the world have experienced physical or sexual violence. Almost a quarter of all Dutch women have experienced some form of sexual abuse or violence.

"Traditionally, there has been this idea that women are inferior or second-class and that men are therefore superior: stronger and more powerful." This idea created skewed relationships between men and women, which still affect our current society. "Women are still sometimes paid less than men for the same work." The skewed relationships can also cause undesirable behaviour to be perceived as normal. "A student once said that she had talked to her mother about transgressive behaviour while going out. ' Well', her mother told her, 'that's just how it is ...'"

A joint solution

In our current society, the media have a major role. "Social media has a lot of influence on what people think and believe." In 't Veld points to the fuss surrounding 'Lentekriebels', a series of teaching packages about friendship and falling in love. "There are many people who believed the fake news that was spread about it. Ultraconservative influencer Andrew Tate also has a lot of influence on young people with his ideas."

"Therefore, I think is is important is that we not only discuss suspicions of unsafe situations, but also have a conversation about what healthy sexuality actually is," explains In 't Veld. "Awareness of what happens when you treat someone in a certain way is very important." The conversation about this must be conducted together: "With both boys as well as with men. Otherwise it is us against them and it is a problem for all of us."

The government should also play a greater role in combating violence against women. According to a report by the Council of Europe, the Netherlands is structurally doing too little to combat this. "Despite the work of Government Commissioner for Sexually Transgressive Behaviour and Sexual Violence, Mariette Hamer, more control must be taken and different agencies will have to work together much more and much better."

What to do?

Violence, against women and in the domestic sphere, occurs everywhere in and in every layer of the population, emphasises In 't Veld. People also experience it at Hanze. Therefore, it is important to continuously raise awareness and provide good education. "During Orange the World, we pay a lot of attention to the subject. For example, there are lectures, debates and performances."

But just creating good education and awareness is not enough. Approachable points of contact and accessible care are essential. "We have had a Social Safety project leader for a few years now and there are various staff members and confidential counsellors active at Hanze. There is a point of contact for students and staff at each programme. Not only to report to, these people are also there to answer your questions and discuss things.

The attention that Hanze pays to the theme is therefore good, but it could be a little more prominent, says In 't Veld. "The stories of experts by experience, for example, carry a lot of impact. They are so incredibly valuable and create a lot of awareness. That is why I strongly advocate the structural use of experiential experts, also within education."

Exhibition #Metoo

During Orange the World, buildings and objects are highlighted in orange all over the world and debates, exhibitions and other activities are organised. Artist collective #WijOok contributes to Orange the World with an exhibition that makes the impact of sexual violence visible and a topic for discussion. Minerva Art Academy has made work available from experts by experience and artists who were involved in the educational project 'Representation of the Unimaginable' and the lessons 'Dark Matter'.

Find out more

From #Wijook, Yingtong Zhou exhibits 5 large charcoal drawings, to which she executes a performance, in the Atrium of the Van Olstborg. Her work can be seen from 26 November to 2 December.