Proclamations Marking Opposition to Woman Abuse
In the heart of Germany, the city of Pforzheim and the Enz district are taking a stand against violence against women and girls. On November 25th, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the city will join the global movement with a series of events under the banner of the 25th November Action Alliance Pforzheim Enz.
Mayor Peter Boch has welcomed the commitment from various sectors of society in this fight. The city's town hall will be lit in orange, a symbolic gesture that serves as a visible sign to stand up against violence. This colour will also adorn other iconic buildings in the city, including the New Town Hall, the Sparkasse Tower, and the chimney of the heating power plant, as part of the "Orange Your City" action.
The 25th November Action Alliance Pforzheim Enz was established in 2022 and consists of a network of partner organizations. These include Auenhof, Badischer Blinden- und Sehbehindertenverein V.m.K., Diakonie Pforzheim, Gemeinde Neuhausen, Internationaler Bund IB Pforzheim, Jugendmigrationsdienste, Kommunales Kino Pforzheim, Lebenshilfe Pforzheim Enzkreis e.V., Ökumenisches Frauenhaus Pforzheim and Fachstelle Häusliche Gewalt Pforzheim Enzkreis gGmbH, Q-PRINTS&SERVICE gGmbH, Soroptimist International Club Pforzheim-Enzkreis, Stadt Mühlacker, Terres Des Femmes Pforzheim-Enzkreis, and Zonta Club Pforzheim.
The goal of the Alliance's nationwide "Break the Silence" campaign is to encourage women who experience violence and to inform them about support services, including the nationwide helpline with the number 116 016. As part of the action, the city's website and social media platforms will draw attention to the campaign using the hashtag #Schweigenbrechen.
Various actions and events are taking place in Pforzheim and the Enz district to raise public awareness of violence against women and girls. These include film screenings, lectures, workshops, readings, information actions, and digital offerings. All events and actions can be viewed at www.pforzheim.de/tag-gegen-gewalt-an-frauen.
The "Break the Silence" action is under the patronage of Federal Minister for Family, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, Lisa Paus. The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is celebrated annually on November 25th. Despite progress made globally, women and girls worldwide still experience violence.
Citizens are encouraged to participate in the discussion and share information related to the campaign. They are also invited to participate by decorating or lighting their windows in orange. Together, the city of Pforzheim and its partners aim to break the silence, raise awareness, and combat violence against women and girls.
- In the spirit of the 25th November Action Alliance Pforzheim Enz, the city is also extending its focus to health-and-wellness and women's health, organizing events that promote lifestyle changes for better well-being and offering resources for women's health issues.
- Beyond the advocacy against violence, the city of Pforzheim and its partners are alsopromoting home-and-garden initiatives, such as workshops and DIY sessions, aimed at empowering women and girls to build secure and comfortable living spaces.
- In line with the goal of the "Break the Silence" campaign, the city's science and education sector is also taking an active role in raising awareness about violence against women and girls, hosting seminars and discussions that exploreits root causes and effects, and providing research-backed solutions for preventive measures.
