Dutch Embassy Organises ‘Pedal For Change’ To Oppose Violence Against Women

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 6 (Bernama) -- The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands on Saturday organised ‘Pedal for Change,’ a community cycling event held in support of the global Orange the World campaign.

The event held in collaboration with Five Cycle Run Cafe brought together cyclist advocates to raise awareness of gender-based violence and to call for collective action during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, the embassy said in a statement. 

The Orange the World campaign is part of the UN Women’s global UNiTE initiative observed in more than 100 countries annually with an aim to end violence against women. 

Violence against women and girls remains one of the most widespread human rights violations, the embassy said.

Globally, one in three women will experience physical or sexual violence in her lifetime, most often by an intimate partner.

Almost one in four adolescent girls who have been in a relationship report having been physically, sexually, or psychologically abused by a partner by age 19.

“This is not only a women’s issue, this is a human rights issue. The Netherlands is firmly committed to eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls.

“Only by working together, we can ensure safe environments where all women and girls can reach their full potential,” Dutch Ambassador Jacques Werner said.

This year’s campaign is themed “UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls.” The theme highlights one of the fastest-growing forms of abuse: digital violence.

Digital violence includes online stalking, bullying, hate speech, the spread of disinformation, non-consensual image sharing, and AI-generated deepfakes.

“Digital tools should empower, not endanger, women and girls,” the embassy emphasised.

-- BERNAMA