Twenty years ago, the United Nations designated 25 November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Orange, the official colour of the campaign, symbolizes optimism and hope for a brighter future without violence against women and girls. During the “16 Days of Activism”, the United Nations has joined forces with individuals, non-governmental organizations and citizens across the world to organize and participate in activities that increase visibility of the problem and mobilize the communities in preventing and combating violence against women.

Over the last 10 years, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) team in Serbia, together with institutions, non-governmental organizations, the media and brave individuals, has been working to ensure safety and better future for women and girls. This year, UNDP is putting sexism at the centre of its campaign under the slogan #TičeMeSe (It concerns me, too).

Sexism is any act, gesture, visual representation, spoken or written words, practice or behaviour based upon the idea that a person or a group of persons is inferior because of their sex, which occurs in the public or private sphere, whether online or offline. Sexism is omnipresent and concerns us all equally, both women and men. “Just a joke”, “just a hug” or “just flirting”, may seem harmless, but create an atmosphere of fear and insecurity. Such atmosphere contributes to the acceptance of violence, mainly targeting women, young women and girls, and in most severe cases leads to femicide.