Presentation of campaign for 25 November 2020: violence has no place in our lives

The actors of the film surrounding Céline Cottalorda and Anthea Sogno. ©Communication Department / Michael Alesi

The Women’s Rights Committee presented its new campaign for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, which falls on 25 November, at the Théâtre des Muses.

The aim of this day is to raise public awareness of efforts to combat violence against women and to remind people of the measures in place in the Principality.

Country Women’s Rights Officer Céline Cottalorda said: “As long as violence persists, we will need to continue to take action against this scourge. Our action is taken across a number of fronts: first prevention, information about the assistance and emergency measures, and also training for professionals who have to deal with violence.”

This year, the campaign is focusing on domestic violence and its consequences for both victims and witnesses, with a key message: violence has no place in our lives. “Too often, the issue of domestic violence is considered only in terms of the immediate victim. Yet it is important not to neglect those who witness it directly, such as children, who can experience severe emotional and psychological disorders after involuntarily seeing this kind of violence in their homes,” explains Céline Cottalorda. 

The 2020 campaign is built around several highlights:

• The production of a fictional film, which can be seen from 25 November on Monaco Info, the Committee’s website (www.dfm.mc ), social media and video screens in the city. The film, which features a child in the central role, shows that violence has more than one victim, and that victims are not always visible.

• The organisation of a conference led by the Secretary of Justice, Robert Gelli. Entitled “The law and the challenges of domestic violence”, it will take place at 6 p.m. on Thursday 26 November at Monaco’s Vocational and Catering School (free entry but please book by contacting dfm@gouv.mc ).

This event will only go ahead if developments in the health situation permit.

• A number of organisations are partnering with the Committee to mark this day:
  • Monaco Multimedia Library is screening the TV film L’Emprise (Woman Under Influence), followed by a debate, at 5.30 p.m. on Tuesday 24 November;
  • Femmes Leaders Mondiales Monaco is launching a poster campaign on the Principality’s buses;
  • Zonta Club Monaco is organising a screening of the film Papicha at 6.30 p.m. on Friday 20 November at the Variety Theatre. It will also be installing covers on public benches;
  • SheCan HeCan and Fight Aids Monaco are joining forces for a “Non à la violence/No to violence” campaign on social media, inviting men to take action against violence.

Céline Cottalorda emphasised the importance of this widespread mobilisation, which strengthens the impact of the day, and thanked the Théâtre des Muses and its director Anthéa Sogno, who attended the presentation along with the actors from the film, including Adrien Franceschi, the young boy who plays the central character.

Information on the Committee’s website: www.dfm.mc

Useful and emergency numbers:

Fire and Emergency Service: 18 or 112 | Police: 17 or 93 15 30 15

Free and anonymous information line, available 7 days a week: 0800 91 90 10

Assistance for Victims of Criminal Offences Association (AVIP): www.avip-monaco.org | 93 25 00 07