United against violence against women: The University of Twente Joins Orange the World Safe, Anywhere and Anytime!

On Tuesday 25 November, the global Orange the World campaign kicks off – an initiative by UN Women to end violence against women and girls. The campaign runs until 10 December, which marks International Human Rights Day.

This year the University of Twente, together with Saxion University of Applied Sciences, the Municipality of Enschede and VizierOost, is actively participating and taking a clear and united stand against all forms of violence, harassment, and intimidation, whether in public spaces, at home, online, or within our organisation.

We recognise that our students, employees and community members are confronted and affected by these issues, and we stand together in solidarity, reaffirming our shared commitment to creating a safe, equitable, and respectful environment for everyone.

As part of the campaign, several activities and events will take place across the municipality and at our educational institutions:

• 25 November – 10 December:
  Our University Twente letters will be illuminated in orange, in solidarity with the Orange the World movement. You will also see other landmarks across Enschede, and the world, turn orange as symbols of hope and visibility.
• 25 November – Orange the Walk:
  We encourage you to join the Orange the Walk awareness walk in Enschede, organised by the Dolle Mina’s Twente. Starting at 16:00, Stationsplein-Enschede, this one-hour walk will lead participants past seven locations in the city centre that have been experienced as unsafe. These spots are intentionally highlighted to raise awareness around street harassment and feelings of insecurity.
• 1 & 2 December – Mobile Media Lab:
  You are warmly invited to visit the Mobile Media Lab organised by the Enschede police in collaboration with VizierOost, Saxion and UT. This initiative offers a space to talk about safety, exclusion, and discrimination. It is also an opportunity to speak directly with representatives from the Centre for Sexual Violence (Centrum Seksueel Geweld), UT safety staff and other UT support services.
• 3 December – Social Change Workshop:
  Students are invited to join our Social Change workshop organised in collaboration with UT’s DE&I team and Move4HumanRights. A workshop to reflect on the challenges you might be facing and explore what you can do to drive meaningful change, however big or small. Want to know more? Check out the event details!
• 5 December – Deadline Incentive Fund:
  Good news! The deadline for the Incentive Fund has been extended. Are you an employee or student with a great idea to enhance DE&I and Social Safety on our campus? Apply for funding and bring your initiative to life.
• 6 & 7 December – (UN)Seen Exhibition:
  Please join us for (UN)Seen, an art exhibition organised by our UT Amnesty International students – an opportunity to bring to light and engage with stories and experiences that often remain hidden and unseen.
• 11 December – Lecture by Bas Erlings (in Dutch):
  Together with Saxion and IKT we are excited to welcome Bas Erlings, the leading authority in the Netherlands on strategic communication and political strategy. Known for showing how a deep understanding of human behaviour can drive political breakthroughs and long-term engagement, he will speak on inclusion, leadership, and collaboration, focusing on how we as a society can overcome polarisation and populism.

We look forward to seeing you at one of these events!

Let’s stand together to ensure that everyone in our community feels safe, valued, respected, and seen.

*If you have been affected by recent events or would like to talk to someone, please reach out.

For employees:
HR advisors, Ombuds Officer, Confidential Advisors, UT Security.

For students:
Study advisors, Confidential Contact Persons (CCPs), student deans, psychologists, UT Security.

Support is available. Remember, you are not alone. 

For any questions or further information please send an email to diversity@utwente.nl