“The world needs to heal from trauma.” – Elena Castellucci, Past-President Juvenilia Club Vienna, Soroptimist International Austria, founding member TANKA Solutions.

On the occasion of the UN Women campaign “Orange The World”, the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens brought together an event Orange the World 2019: Evolving Beyond Trauma with partners Juvenilia Club Vienna, Soroptimist International Vienna on December 3, 2019. Every fifth woman in Austria – around 20 percent of all women – is exposed to physical and/or sexual violence from the age of 15. One in three women had to experience some form of sexual harassment since they were 15 years old. Every seventh woman is affected by stalking from the age of 15. Many women experience traumas that accompany them throughout their lives. The events included keynote speeches and a panel discussion on trauma of female victims of violence against women including domestic violence. This topic was addressed by a jury of internationally acclaimed experts who will speak openly about their personal, unfiltered stories and share their knowledge and valuable insights into this complex topic.

Co-chair Heinz Fischer delivered a keynote speech and stressed three important points:

  • Education and Information
  • Safe space (which should be funded by the government)
  • Awareness (which should create solidarity, help, understanding, and courage)

Elena Castellucci, Past-President Juvenilia Club Vienna, Soroptimist International Austria, founding member TANKA Solutions, said during the opening that we need to create a shift and decrease the amount of trauma by creating a real support system.” Before the panel discussion, an actress and author Erika Pluhar read an excerpt from one of her books “Raising the Voice.” Many inspiring stellar speakers were there to support the victims because talking about trauma requires courage and learning about it requires compassion. Speakers: Elena Castellucci, Past-President Juvenilia Club Vienna, Soroptimist International Austria, founding member of TANKA Solutions Co-chair Heinz Fischer, Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens, former President of Austria Dr. Desiree Schweitzer, UN Women Austria Marcella Sigmund-Graff, President of the Austrian Union, Soroptimist International Austria Reading: Erika Pluhar Panel discussion: Kimberly Budinsky, moderator Sean McCarthy, Founder of TEDS Foundation, CEO of Tanka Solutions & HolisticHealth Coach Louise Deininger, Conceptual Artist & Founder of GYCO Sharon Anena, GYCO Administration Manager & Chief Assistant, Founder of Julias Heart CBO Rania Mustafa Ali, Jornalist & Documentarist Dr. Susanne Hölbfer, Senior Physician Gynecology at Wilhelminenspital Serani Siegel, Project Manager in the Gender Section of the Office of the OSCE Secretary General Source: UN Women