On 25 November, the EU Delegation to China organised a symbolic event to launch a solidarity tree on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

Following a welcoming address by the EU Ambassador to China, Jorge Toledo, and remarks by the UN Women Country Representative to China, Smriti Aryal, guests were invited to hang messages for victims of gender-based violence on a tree at the garden of the EU Delegation. Ambassadors and diplomats from the EU Member States also participated in the event and expressed their solidarity with victims of gender-violence in China and worldwide.

European Union, 2024

European Union, 2024

European Union, 2024

European Union, 2024

The EU and its Member States work together to prevent and combat violence against women and girls, protect victims and prosecute perpetrators. In October 2023, the European Union put into force the first ever law to effectively fight violence against women and domestic violence. The EU is also working towards the adoption of a common EU helpline number for victims of violence against women which will redirect users to the appropriate service.

This orange solidarity tree will colour the entrance of the EU Delegation during the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence between 25 November and 10 December.

More information:

The speech delivered by the EU Ambassador Jorge Toledo is available at the following page: [Speech by the EU Ambassador Jorge Toledo at the launching event of the orange solidarity tree]

Photos: EU Delegation launches solidarity tree on Orange Day

Visit UN Women’s global database on violence against women to learn about the measures that governments around the globe are taking to build a world free from violence against women and girls: https://data.unwomen.org/global-database-on-violence-against-women