The fight against gender-based violence has become an issue that can no longer be overlooked, given the scale and severity of a phenomenon that affects women worldwide—a consequence of a society that, in many areas, can still be defined as patriarchal.
Violence perpetrated by men affects women of all ages, backgrounds, and socio-cultural levels, as has been evident for years from the work of Anti-Violence Centers across the country. These centers provide shelter and support to women on their path to escaping violence and reclaiming their autonomy.
Many initiatives can be undertaken to counter this phenomenon, but just as important as security measures are cultural, awareness-raising, and prevention initiatives. We must acknowledge that gender inequality is the very foundation on which violence thrives.
It is therefore crucial to promote cultural events that focus on gender-based violence without necessarily resorting to the now overly widespread images of assaulted or battered women—images that often fail to convey the true meaning of their suffering.
The exhibition Faces Against Violence has the remarkable merit of using the gaze of numerous women—each unique in their own way—as a means to foster a broad and unfiltered reflection, free from violent imagery.
The eyes of these women are turned toward the future with strength and hope, aware that much remains to be done to spread a culture based on mutual respect between genders.
For many years, the Municipality of Bologna has promoted actions to combat and prevent violence against women. In particular, the Department for Equal Opportunities and the Fight Against Violence and Human Trafficking Against Women and Minors warmly welcomed Andrea Benetti’s exhibition at Palazzo d’Accursio in November and December 2017. This initiative also serves as a reminder that November 25th is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, established in 1999 by the United Nations General Assembly.