15 Estonian men take a stand in a domestic abuse prevention campaign

As part of this year’s Orange Weeks programme “Why Do We Stay Silent?”, initiated by the President Kaljulaid Foundation, 15 well-known Estonian men speak out on issues related to domestic abuse. The aim is to draw attention to the problem of domestic abuse and to encourage people to notice, care for, and intervene when someone needs help.

A population survey commissioned by the President Kaljulaid Foundation and carried out by Norstat in October 2025 revealed that 83% of Estonians consider domestic abuse to be a socially significant problem. At the same time, more than half of respondents believe that it is primarily women who talk about this issue.

To highlight the important role men play in preventing domestic abuse, a video series titled Orange Conversations was created. In these conversations, this often hidden topic is addressed by Egert Belitšev, Director General of the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board; musicians sämi, Karl-Erik Taukar, Daniel Levi Viinalass and Henry Kõrvits; radio host Jürgen Pärnsalu; Olympic champion Gerd Kanter; actor Henrik Kalmet; North Estonia Medical Centre CEO Agris Peedu; communication expert Urmas Vaino; British Ambassador Ross Allen; comedian Mattias Naan; MMA fighter Maikel Astur; writer Lauri Räpp; and Archbishop of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church, Urmas Viilma.

All Orange Conversations can be found on the campaign website: https://miksmevaikime.kerstikaljulaid.ee/

In addition to contributions from 15 well-known Estonian men, the campaign site also features a video in which Ivo Uukkivi reads a text written by an anonymous Estonian man — a painful insight into societal attitudes towards domestic abuse.

Orange Conversations are part of the President Kaljulaid Foundation’s Orange Weeks programme “Why Do We Stay Silent?”. Running from 25 November to 10 December, the awareness campaign brings Orange Conversations to various public spaces, aiming to draw attention to the prevention and elimination of domestic abuse.