Violence Against Women in Helsinki is being highlighted this November as the city takes part in the United Nations Orange Days campaign. On 25 November 2025, Helsinki will light the Havis Amanda statue orange and hold a silent candlelight march to call attention to the issue. The initiative is meant to raise awareness, show solidarity, and inspire action against gender-based violence.
The candlelight march will begin at 17:00 from the western end of Esplanade Park and finish at the statue, where participants will place candles. The statue itself will remain lit orange between 15:00 and midnight. Both the march and the lighting ceremony are open to the public, giving citizens an opportunity to stand together against violence.
Orange has been chosen because it represents hope for a future without abuse. The campaign begins on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, held on 25 November, and continues until Human Rights Day on 10 December. In Finland, the patron of the campaign is Suzanne Innes-Stubb, spouse of the President of the Republic.
Mayor Daniel Sazonov has spoken openly about the city’s responsibility in tackling this problem. He said that Helsinki must be a safe city for every resident and that prevention, stronger support services, and active intervention are essential. The city has already included combating harassment and gender-based violence in its official safety strategy.
Research indicates that women in Helsinki feel less safe than men. According to the 2025 school health survey, one in three girls in secondary and upper secondary schools reported sexual harassment or abuse. Eurostat data also reveals a serious picture: Finland ranks as the most unsafe EU country for women, with 57 percent reporting physical violence, sexual violence, or threats. Intimate partner violence affects one in three women, and when psychological abuse is included, more than half of women in Finland report experiencing some form of it.
Statistics Finland recorded 13,000 cases of intimate partner violence in 2024, showing an increase compared to the previous year. Women made up 74 percent of the victims while 75 percent of the suspects were men. Authorities also emphasize that many cases never appear in official records, making the true number higher.
To respond to the growing challenge, Helsinki has formed a working group that brings together organisations, city officials, and authorities to focus on domestic violence policy. The city aims to strengthen prevention, improve support systems, and ensure women and girls can live free of fear.
