Every four minutes, a woman is subjected to violence by her (ex-)partner ^[1]. Across Germany, a femicide is committed almost every day ^[2]. For women who are politically active, attacks are increasingly shifting to the digital sphere – 63 per cent report experiencing digital violence here ^[3]. And 90 per cent of young women say they feel severe to extreme fear when encountering unknown men at night ^[4].

These figures are consistent with global findings: according to the WHO ^[5], one in three women aged 15 and over has experienced sexual and/or physical violence. Violence against women is therefore not a local or marginal phenomenon, but is deeply embedded in social structures.

The academic world is also affected. The European UniSAFE study ^[6] shows that almost two in three staff and students at universities and research institutions report having experienced at least one form of gender-based violence since the start of their time there. These findings highlight how important it is for universities to take active responsibility – for safe learning, teaching and working conditions, for clear procedures, and for a culture of vigilance.

Since 1991, the 16-day UN campaign ‘Orange the World’ has been raising awareness of violence against women and girls – from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10 December, Human Rights Day ^[7]. The campaign calls on institutions, organisations and individuals to take a visible stand and assume responsibility.

The Gender Equality Office at the University of Oldenburg is also taking part this year to mark the start of the Orange Days!

Information stand with a hands-on activity organised by the Central Gender Equality Office

25 November 2025 | 10.00 am to 2.00 pm
, Mensa foyer | Haarentor campus

All members of the university community are invited to drop by the information stand in the canteen foyer on 25 November. There, you can not only find out more about the background to the campaign day and the work of the Central Gender Equality Office, but also get involved yourself: a hands-on activity invites you to take a personal stand against violence. Every participant helps to raise awareness of the issue – both within the university and beyond.

Violence against women affects us all – including within the university context. By looking out for one another, supporting each other and taking action together, we strengthen a university culture characterised by respect, equality and safety for all.

Arrange a confidential counselling appointment with the Central Gender Equality Office at the University of Oldenburg!

Footnotes

^[1] Federal Ministry of the Interior (2025): https://www.bmi.bund.de/SharedDocs/schwerpunkte/DE/gewalt-gegen-frauen/gewalt-gegen-frauen-artikel.html
[^{2] Federal Criminal Police Office} (2024): https://www.bka.de/DE/Presse/Listenseite_Pressemitteilungen/2024/Presse2024/241119_PM_BLB_Straftaten_gegen_Frauen.html
^[3] HateAid (2025): https://hateaid.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/hateaid-tum-studie-angegriffen-und-alleingelassen-kurzfassung-2025.pdf
^[4] UN Women (n.d.): https://unwomen.de/orange-the-world/
^[5] WHO (2018): https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240022256
^[6] UniSAFE (2022): https://unisafe-gbv.eu/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/UniSAFE-survey_prevalence-results_2022.pdf
^[7] UN Women (n.d.): https://unwomen.de/orange-the-world/