The Principality took part in the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on the 25th of November, 2016 by launching a poster campaign, a new help-line for victims, a public lecture and discussion about violence against women and more.
The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, an initiative supported by the United Nations, is an opportunity to present some key measures implemented by the State and various charitable groups in the Principality to combat violence.
The day was coordinated by the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs and is the result of discussions between the Prince’s Government, the National Council, the High Commissioner for the Protection for Rights, Freedoms and Mediation and certain charitable organisations such as: Femmes Leaders Mondiales Monaco, Genderhopes, Pink Ribbon, Action Innocence, the Union of Monegasque Women, the “Association d’Aide aux Victimes d’Infractions Pénales” (AVIP) which help victims of crime and the Zonta Club.
The Principality has launched a poster campaign, which runs from the 21st until the 27th of November 2016 to raise public awareness about this International Day. It will also be promoted on the Government’s website, websites of charitable groups and on social networks.
Other resources to help combat violence against women include a new telephone helpline, which is anonymous and free of charge. It will give advice and information to victims of domestic violence. The number is: 116.919.
An information page devoted to victims of violence will be added to the Prince’s Government website. Gender Hopes and Femmes Leaders Monaco have also created the site monacosaysnotoviolence.com to inform and help women confronted with violence.
A public lecture entitled “Against violence to women: we are all involved” was held on Friday the 25th of November 2016, at 6 pm, in the Auditorium of Monaco’s Vocational and Catering School (Lycée Technique et Hôtelier de Monaco), 7 Allée Lazare Sauvaigo. It was given by Professor Alessandra Kustermann, a doctor specialising in obstetrics and gynaecology, who is also an expert on the care of victims of violence.
This lecture was followed by cocktails, during which the public can talk to the speaker and other professionals.
Since 2014, the official colour of the “UN Women” campaign has been orange, symbolising a better future without violence towards women. Iconic monuments in the Principality will be illuminated in orange to help reach out to a new audience and disseminate a message of zero tolerance of this type of violence. Join the Orange movement!
Another event, which will offer a different but no less legitimate voice in the fight for the elimination of violence against women, takes place next week at the Muse Theatre, where it will be possible to see the contemporary dramatic play “Lapidée” (Stoned to Death). Through all these events and partners, the Principality will thus continue to demonstrate its strong support for this highly important event in the fight for ending violence against women.
