Building a culture based on equality and respect in the fight against gender-based violence

The power of words and actions: reflections on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

Violence against women knows no geographical, cultural or social boundaries and manifests itself in many forms, often invisible. 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, is not just a date on the calendar: it is an invitation to reflect, to raise awareness and, above all, to act. It is a scourge with tremendously important repercussions because it not only destroys individual and precious lives, but it affects an entire society and undermines its progress. It's rhetorical to say that it concerns us all, until we really stop to think that it could be about your daughter, the closest friend you've had since school, the colleague two desks away, or the barista who makes your coffee every day. Erika Ortu, Talent Development, Wellbeing & D&I Manager, and Martina Salvi, Students Engagement & Development Team Leader, helped us to think about this topic. Their reflections can assist us in understanding the challenges and concrete actions that can be taken to combat this phenomenon of violence.

Why do you think it's important to remember 25 November?

Having a day of commemoration for gender violence means celebrating and remembering the commitment that institutions, organisations and individuals make to address a social phenomenon that requires collective effort and which still appears today with different nuances, depending on the culture in question. The institutionalisation of this date goes back to the late 1990s to highlight the activism and courage of three women - Las Mariposas - who fought the cause with dedication, but who lost their lives under the dictatorial regime that was in force in the Dominican territory in the 1960s, an expression of machismo in Latin America. 25 November is actually the inaugural date of a period that ends on 10 December with International Human Rights Day. This symbolically highlights the link between the fight against gender-based violence as an integral part of an even wider battle.

What aspects of gender-based violence do you think are least understood or discussed in our society? Is it just a cultural and heritage problem, or is there more to it?

To mention the history and the bloodiest episodes of violence, which have resulted in feminicide, is not just mere communicative rhetoric, but it means focusing the public’s attention so as not to underestimate the invisible forms of violence which creep into everyday life. These are situations that can often arise from forms of power, control and coercion. They are often the result of stereotypical forms of embodying the relationship between male and female, bringing with them biases, attitudes and behaviours that disqualify the human being on the basis of gender differences.

This phenomenon can occur in different spheres of life, not just in the home. According to ISTAT, in Italy, 31.5% of women between the ages of 16 and 70 have suffered some form of violence - and this is a recurrent global figure, across all regions, socio-economic classes, and levels of education.

This data highlights how the phenomenon is extended throughout the cycle of life, starting with the first forms of socialisation. It is possible, therefore, to assume that working on education could be an important part of getting to the roots of this phenomenon and being able to have a long-range impact. In the face of full-blown violence, there are now structured management tools such as the territorial Anti-Violence Centres which can offer assistance effectively to victims, and interception systems such as the national telephone number 1522.

It also remains the individual responsibility and contribution that each of us can make by learning to intercept those in a situation of violence (economic, psychological, physical and/or sexual). We must avoid victim blaming and accommodate and respect the pain and suffering of the victims, directing them to those channels that could actually offer them support. Helping the victims is not easy. because it requires first and foremost being a good observer and knowing the basics of the phenomenon and the services that can be made available to the community. In this sense, it is important not to underestimate the red flags that we should all learn to read and manage as citizens, regardless of gender. Not least, avoiding the process of blaming the victim can mitigate the indirect effect of secondary victimisation, thereby increasing the recovery of the person’s sense of self-efficacy and mobilising resources to deal with the situation. Also, removing the victim from a halo of judgment by reminding ourselves and others that violence is a phenomenon that is suffered.

When we talk about violence we think only of the physical act, but violence has always been verbal too, and is now also digital. How do we deal with all this?

These assumptions apply both in the workplace and in the relationships we have in digital contexts. Indeed, it is precisely the latter, and their implications for people's daily lives, that are often underestimated. Not enough consideration is given to the psychological effects that could, for example, result from a thread of insults potentially generated by a group of followers.

How do you think each of us can contribute to combatting gender-based violence, including in our work environment?

Specifically, the work environment can be an arena for discrimination, but in my role as Wellbeing and D&I Manager, I like to think positively - that is, how companies can equip themselves and, through the implementation of training and good practices, can build new cultures and make them accessible to the community and future generations. We think of organisations as enablers of social change, even if they are not born with this main mission. If companies are able to place themselves in a “Community Organisation” perspective, then we can contribute to the cause with opportunities for great impact for society and the ecosystem.

In this respect, those of us who belong to the third sector and where there is a belief among our staff that knowledge and education can change the world, play an important role in dealing with this issue as a matter of priority.

POLIMI GSoM has offered training as an Ambassador on violence against women. What struck you most about the course? Is there any aspect that you have been able to explore and understand better thanks to this training?

In my experience, it has been possible to explore the indicators of violence to recognise the phenomenon in its various facets and understand its multidimensional nature. The Ambassador course with the Libellula Foundation has also permitted me to learn concrete tools for being close to potential victims. In this sense, the path is an enabler of resources: it puts you in a proactive position rather than being a mere helpless spectator in the face of a social issue that today is on the table of the 2030 Agenda within some pillars of the 17 SDGs (Gender Equality – Reduced Inequalities).

Considering what you have learned during your training as an Ambassador, what actions or activities do you intend to put into practice to raise awareness and support others on this issue?

During my training as an Ambassador, I had the opportunity to investigate the ways in which gender violence can be implemented, also focusing on the less visible forms that persist in our society, as they are rooted in our cultural context. Starting from this awareness, I believe that my role as an Ambassador should focus on promoting a widespread culture that can make some hidden dynamics visible, increase the sense of awareness of these issues in the workplace, and consequently undermine the paradigm underlying many of these forms of violence. I believe that disclosure and dialogue are, in this sense, two key aspects of awareness-raising, which, together with targeted actions and customised initiatives, can really make a difference.

What message do you think it is important to convey in order to raise awareness of the importance of this issue?

The message that in my view it is crucial to convey is that taking action, so that certain dynamics no longer generate indifference and do not go unnoticed, is a collective responsibility and each and every one of us can and must play a role in this domain. Individual awareness and action can be spread and lead to major changes. The creation of awareness leads us to notice dynamics, words and behaviours that we would not normally have noticed, focusing as much on the more visible forms of violence as on the less obvious, but equally destructive situations. When it comes to reversing the trend, it is essential that each of us understands the importance of our own contribution and feels called to action as an agent of change.