International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
The Principality of Monaco joined other countries around the world to celebrate November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, initiated by the United Nations back in 1993, with diverse concrete actions. At the initiative of the United Nations, this date reminds us of the importance of preventing this kind of violence, and the need to eradicate it through the mechanisms put in place by the Prince’s Government, but also by the associative network of the Principality.
Coordinated by the Department of Social Affairs and Health, this day is the result of a joint reflection of the Prince’s Government with the National Council, the Office of the High Commissioner for the Protection of Rights, Freedoms and Mediation, as well as with the associative groups involved in this cause and, in particular, Women World Leaders Monaco, She can He can, Pink Ribbon, Action Innocence, the Union of Monegasque Women, the Zonta Club Monaco and the Soroptimist Club of Monaco.
There are different forms of violence; some of them are not always visible, and well before jostling and blows often occur, there is an escalation of abusive behavior and intimidation. In the Principality, different organizations take care of women victims of violence. The Princess Grace Hospital is able to provide an entry point for these victims, who are cared for and directed by caregivers and social workers, depending on the situation, to the judicial system and / or social spheres. The Association for the Assistance of Victims of Criminal Offenses (AVIP), for its part, took charge of 28 cases of domestic and family violence between January and November 2018.
Implementing concrete actions
To mark November 25, several concrete actions took place in the Principality of Monaco:
Poster Campaign & information website
A poster campaign was rolled out all around the Principality to increase awareness for the need to end violence against women, together with the re-launching by SheCanHeCan of the highly informative site http://www.monacosaysnotoviolence.org/
Conference – Violence against women: understanding to eradicate
On Wednesday, November 28, a conference for the general public, entitled Violence against women: understanding to eradicate, took place at the Auditorium of the Lycée Technique et Hôtelier de Monaco, coordinated and organized by the Department of Social Affairs and Health lead by Didier Gamerdinger. The event was moderated by Karine Lambert, Vice-President of the Euro-Mediterranean University and Scientific Network on Women and Gender (RUSEMEG).
Play – “The Belly of the Whale”
On Thursday, November 22, the Theater Princess Grace presented the play “The Belly of the Whale”, a love story that deals with domestic violence. The Belgian author Stanislas Cotton depicts the complex mechanism that leads a couple in this victim / executioner relationship, a poignant and universal performance. The play was followed by an exchange with the audience in the presence of both Stanislas Cotton and the French actress Agnes Pichois (seen in the photo insert).
Landmarks illuminated as a show of support
As sign of solidarity, the emblematic buildings of the Principality were illuminated in orange, the official color of the “UN Women” campaign, on Sunday, November 25, 2018, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. (Photo: Prince’s Palace of Monaco, November 25, 2018 @Celina Lafuente de Lavotha)
Committee for promotion and protection of women’s rights
The Committee for the promotion of women’s rights protection was officially set up on Friday, November 30, 2018, by H.E. Serge Telle, State Minister of Monaco. Created on October 25, 2018, and presided by Gilles Tonelli, Minister of External Affairs and Cooperation, its mission is to coordinate, implement and evaluate the adopted national politics in order to promote gender equality and fight against violence and discrimination towards women.
On this occasion the committee was joined by representatives of government institutions concerned, the Direction of Judiciary Services, as well as elected functionaries from the National Council and the Town Hall, the High Commissioner for Rights’ Protection, Liberties and Mediation, the Economic and Social Council, and representatives of associations working in the area of women’s rights. (Photo below:Members of the Comitee for promotion women’s protection @Michael Alesi, Direction Communication)
H.E. Serge Telle reminded that this committee is created in line with international recommendations dealing with women’s rights, and that “our commitment in favor of women’s rights goes beyond allegiance to those accords.”
Celine Cottalorda, deputy for the promotion and protection of women’s rights, presented her role and the way she will be working with the people concerned. At the end of the meeting, she announced the immediate launching of two measures, being conducted by the IMSEE and those involved in the data production, such as:
- A study concerning wage inequalities between women and men in both the private and public sectors.
- The establishment of indicators of violence against women.
Today’s Quote
“If we are to fight discrimination and injustice against women, we must start at home, for if a woman cannot be safe in her own house then she cannot be expected to feel safe anywhere.”Aysha Taryam
Monaco Reporter 
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