24 Nov 2018

Orange Harbour Bridge highlights violence against women

7:37 pm on 24 November 2018

Auckland's Harbour Bridge will be lit up in orange tonight, to recognise the United Nations' day against violence towards women.

Auckland harbour bridge.

Orange lights on Auckland's Harbour Bridge tonight aim to raise awareness of violence against women. Photo: RNZ / Sally Murphy

The bridge will turn orange from 8.45pm and remain so overnight.

Irene King, Auckland president of women's advocacy group Zonta, said she hoped it would draw attention to the issue of domestic violence, both in New Zealand and internationally.

"We tend to sweep these issues under the carpet, as opposed to really bringing them out and highlighting them," Ms King said.

"One of the things we're finding is the more you talk about these issues, the more people will stand up and say 'no, that's not okay'."

It is estimated one in three women will experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, she said.

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