The Orange Days campaign highlights the problems of violence against women and girls, such as domestic violence, sexual violence and harassment, human trafficking, child marriage and digital violence. The colour orange and orange light symbolise hope for a future where everyone has the right to a life without violence. Spouse of the President of the Republic of Finland Suzanne Innes-Stubb is the patron of the campaign.
Join the candlelight procession
The silent candlelight procession will start at 17.00 on 25 November 2025 in the west end of Esplanade Park. Participants are asked to wear black or orange and bring their own candle with a protective cover. Candles will also be distributed at the starting point of the procession, but they will be limited.
The candlelight procession will travel through Esplanade Park and stop in front of the Espa stage. On the Espa stage, there will be speeches and a performance by the Sing & Shine Choirs. The choirs will be conducted by Sanna Valvanne.
The procession ends with a candle lighting ceremony around the statue of Havis Amanda, bathing in orange light. The event will end at around 18.00.
Organisations and individuals are asked to register in advance so that the organisers can plan for the number of participants. You can also take part in the procession without advance registration.
More information about the procession can be found on the City's website at www.hel.fi/silentcandlelightprocession.
The statue of Havis Amanda will be illuminated in orange on 25 November 2025 from 15.00 to midnight. The implementation of the lighting is designed by lighting designer Mia Erlin. The lighting is made possible by Nylund Group Oy and Sun Effects Oy.
Everyone has the right to live in safety
Violence against women and girls and violence in close relationships affects thousands of people in Finland every year.
“Violence should never be tolerated. We all have a responsibility to speak up about violence and the threat of violence, to care about each other and to intervene in situations where we observe violence. Everyone has the right to live in safety,” says Paula Salmi, coordinator of work against violence in close relationships in Helsinki.
“We hope that as many people as possible will join the candlelight procession. Together we can make a difference.”
The City of Helsinki has an important role to play in promoting the safety of its residents and preventing violence. The eradication of harassment and violence against girls and women and other gender-based forms of harassment and violence has been included in the safety objectives in the City Strategy. Achieving this goal will require active intervention, more support services and measures to prevent violence to make Helsinki a safer and more equal place to live and work for all residents.
Domestic violence prevention campaign encourages people to seek help
Domestic violence can affect anyone close to you – a child, a relative, a friend or a partner. The violence can be not only physical, but also emotional, financial or sexual. Key actions in the City's efforts to prevent violence in close relationships include training and communications, which are carried out in cooperation with authorities and organisations.
The Bring violence into daylight campaign will be visible on the city streets and on social media in November. The campaign encourages people to seek help for domestic violence. The contact details of parties that can help are available on the City of Helsinki’s website at hel.fi/helpforviolence. Help is available for victims and perpetrators of domestic violence.
- Information on the silent candlelight procession
- Registration for the candlelight procession on the UN Women Finland website (in Finnish)(Link leads to external service)
- Services for survivors and perpetrators of domestic violence
- Statistics Finland: Altogether 13,000 domestic and intimate partner violence offences were reported to the authorities in 2024(Link leads to external service)
