Orange the World

Protection against violence is a human right

But not a reality for many. This is illustrated by the number of 27 femicides (as of 25.11.2024) that Austria has recorded so far this year. The UN campaign "Orange the World" has been drawing attention to violence against women and girls since 1991: from the International Day to End Violence against Women on November 25 to December 10, Human Rights Day.

"Social Work is a human rights profession. It is our job to give people a voice. In this case, women and girls who have been or are victims of violence. Those who study Social Work are always concerned with the question of what kind of society we want to live in and what contribution we can make to creating safe living spaces," emphasizes Viktoria Reuschel, Head of the Social Work bachelor's degree programme.

Silent march and vigil

In order to send a visible signal of solidarity with victims of gender-based violence, the Department of Social Work and Health, together with the Diversity Office and the Student Union, organized a silent march to the city/parish park in Dornbirn, followed by a vigil. In the period from November 25 to December 10, parts of the FHV will also be lit up in orange again, as part of the Orange the World campaign worldwide. "It is important to us to make our stance on violence against women and girls visible. But it is also about raising awareness in society. Everyone is asked to listen and look closely," says Uta Skowranek, Head of the Master's degree programme in Social Work, emphasizing the importance of the campaign.

Reminder: Vorarlberg Human Rights Day on December 10

On the occasion of International Human Rights Day, the new "Platz der Menschenrechte" (Human Rights Square) in Bregenz near the harbor will be officially opened on December 10 at 6:00 pm. The Social Work degree programme will also be represented here with a campaign.  

Further information from the Department of Social Work and Health can be found here ▷ www.fhv.at/en/studies/social-work-health