Mayor Christiane Hinninger emphasized: "Violence against women is a social problem that we must tackle together. Wiesbaden has committed itself to the Istanbul Convention and is committed to prevention, awareness-raising and concrete measures. We must continue to raise awareness of the issue, and the orange benches are a good way of doing this. I am delighted to be able to support the campaign together with my colleagues in the city council."

The benches - made by apprentices Alper Kasalak, Zdravko Krasimirov Chakarov, Sydney Jakobi and Fehim Lukac under the guidance of their master craftsman Jürgen Müller - are more than just places to sit: They are memorials and points of contact at the same time. Each bench is provided with a notice board with help numbers.

After the handover, the benches will be installed at seven central locations: Wiesbaden Music and Art School, Admissions Office, Health and Social Welfare Office, Fasanerie, Klarenthal District Center, administration building on Gustav-Stresemann-Ring and the town hall foyer.

They are both eye-catchers and reminders, symbolize the fight against violence against women and girls and are intended to bring the "Orange the World" campaign to the city's society.

The Zonta Club Wiesbaden is the point of contact for all interested parties. "We are calling on companies, sports clubs, church communities and other organizations in our city to take part in this campaign and send a strong signal against violence against women and girls," says Bärbel Riemann, coordinator of the campaign at "Zonta says No". The Zonta Club Wiesbaden would like to place as many more orange benches as possible in Wiesbaden by November 25.

Over the last forty years, the city of Wiesbaden has built up a protection and support system for women. Many committed associations and organizations have contributed to this, as have municipal departments such as the Municipal Women's Department and many areas of the Office for Social Work. Nevertheless, according to the BKA's situation report on gender-specific crime, the number of cases of sexual offenses, domestic violence and digital violence is increasing nationwide.

Since 2018, the Zonta Club Wiesbaden, together with the municipal women's department and numerous partners, has been involved in the global "Zonta says No" campaign to mark the International Day against Violence against Women on November 25. Further information can be found at zonta-wiesbaden.de

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