Special: that is why these Zoetermeer buildings turn orange

Don’t be surprised if you walk past Molen De Hoop or the CKC building. These buildings have been turning orange in the evening since November 25 for a special reason. And no, it has nothing to do with football or the royal family.

The orange color of Molen De Hoop and the CKC building is because of the global campaign ‘Orange the World’. All over the world, striking buildings are being highlighted in the fight against violence against women. In addition, on the street in the center of Zoetermeer you will see orange-painted hands with the text ‘Stop violence against women’.

Why orange?

Orange was chosen because it is the color of a sunrise; it is part of the ‘Orange the World’ campaign for dawning a world without violence against women, the organization said. The campaign has been held since 1999. At the time of writing, about a hundred municipalities in the Netherlands are participating.

In addition to Molen de Hoop and the CKC building in our city, quite a few other impressive places and buildings turn orange. Such as Time Square, Empire State Building, Table Mountain, Niagara Falls and the Brandenburg Gate.

Share personal stories

Apart from the orange lighting of the mill and the CKC building, there are also some events organized in Zoetermeer. The Women Against Violence (VTG) working group in Zoetermeer is committed to making domestic violence visible and breaking the taboo surrounding it. They do this by sharing personal stories of women who have (had) to deal with domestic violence.

Hang out the dirty laundry

During ‘Orange the World’ they ask whether Zoetermeer women would like to share their stories about domestic violence. This can be done by writing (anonymously) a text on a postcard before December 10, or by sending it in digitally. All these personal stories will soon hang on a symbolic washing line at the CKC so that everyone can read them. A second washing line will be installed at Enjoy Life, at Oosterheemplein 198. Read here more about Orange the World in Zoetermeer.