Bayer Leverkusen and Bundesliga Stars Unite Against Violence Towards Women

Bayer Leverkusen and Bundesliga players support UN's Orange Day campaign by lighting up BayArena and promoting respect against violence towards women.

    Key details

  • • BayArena and key landmarks lit in orange for UN's Orange Day campaign.
  • • Players Nathan Tella, Jonas Hofmann, and Mark Flekken promote anti-violence messages.
  • • Sports director Simon Rolfes emphasizes the club's responsibility for social values.
  • • Additional awareness activities planned around the upcoming Borussia Dortmund match.

Bayer Leverkusen and Bundesliga players have taken a strong stand against violence towards women, highlighting their commitment through various campaigns and public statements. On Tuesday evening, as Bayer Leverkusen faced Manchester City in the Champions League at 21:00, the BayArena was illuminated in orange to support the United Nations’ "Orange Day" campaign, aimed at combating violence against women and girls. This vibrant display extended to other Leverkusen landmarks, including the Morsbroich Museum, the Erholungshaus, and the Wasserturm.

Key players such as Nathan Tella and Jonas Hofmann actively endorsed the message, with Tella emphasizing, "Violence begins with words, not with fists," and Hofmann urging reflection with, "Real men respect women. Do you?" Additionally, goalkeeper Mark Flekken visually expressed solidarity by holding a sign stating, "Respect knows no gender!".

Simon Rolfes, Bayer Leverkusen's sports director and father of three daughters, underlined the club's responsibility beyond sporting achievements, stressing the importance of promoting values: "As a club, we have a responsibility to uphold certain values, not only to perform on the pitch but also to set an example off it."

These efforts are part of wider initiatives planned by Bayer Leverkusen, with additional activities scheduled around the Bundesliga home match against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday at 18:30. The campaign encourages reflection on respectful behavior and personal accountability regarding violence prevention.

The Bundesliga’s campaign against violence towards women also involves personalized outreach initiatives and the careful handling of personal data, ensuring users can engage with related content solutions respecting GDPR compliance. The combined efforts of clubs, players, and the local community underline a unified commitment to raising awareness and fostering a culture of respect toward women in Germany’s football sphere.

This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.

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