Tuesday 25 November is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women – government buildings to be illuminated in orange
The UN’s international Orange the World campaign to end violence against women begins on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on 25 November. This year, the focus of the campaign is on eradicating digital violence against women and girls.
“Every girl and woman in Finland has the right to feel safe. Preventing violence requires changes in attitudes, structures and legislation,” said Prime Minister Petteri Orpo.
International convention gives strength to fight violence
On 25 November 2025, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Finland will publish its new national Action Plan for the Istanbul Convention, which covers the years 2026–2033. The Istanbul Convention is the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. The Council of Europe issued a recommendation on combating digital violence against women in 2021.
Well-known buildings to be illuminated in orange
On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, well-known buildings around the world will be illuminated in orange – the colour chosen to symbolise the day.
The Government Palace will be illuminated in orange from Monday 24 November at 20.00 until Wednesday 26 November at 9.00. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs’ main building, Merikasarmi, will be illuminated in orange on Tuesday 25 November between 15.00 and 24.00.
Staff at the Government and its ministries will also take part in a candlelight procession to mark the day.
In Finland, the Orange days campaign is coordinated by UN Women Finland.
Inquiries:
Tiina-Kaisa Laakso-Liukkonen, Chief Specialist, Prime Minister’s Office, tel. +358 295 160 220 (questions related to the illumination of the Government Palace)
Tanja Leikas-Bottà, Director, Unit for Human Rights Policy, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 295 350 737 (questions related to the international campaign)
Minna Viuhko, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, tel. +358 295 163 470 (questions related to violence against women)
Email addresses are in the format [email protected]
Information on the role of UN Women Finland was added on 25.11.2025.