To mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on Monday, November 25, the Committee for the Promotion and Protection of Women’s Rights has unveiled a compelling campaign aimed at raising awareness of “invisible violence” and highlighting available support services in the Principality.
At the campaign launch, Céline Cottalorda, Monaco’s Interministerial Delegate for Women’s Rights, emphasised the urgency of combating domestic violence. “Some forms of violence can be insidious and difficult to identify. It’s crucial to speak out so victims can recognize what they’re enduring,” she said. This year’s campaign draws attention to lesser-known forms of violence, including economic abuse, violence in sports, and violence against women with disabilities. “Our goal is to broaden the scope of our actions and to educate the public about forms of violence that are often overlooked,” Cottalorda added.
The campaign’s centrepiece is a poignant visual depicting a woman and her child breaking free from an isolating bubble and moving toward the light. Variations of this imagery have been created to represent different themes and victim profiles. Titled From Shadow to Light, the campaign encapsulates the journey victims undergo to escape violence and regain autonomy, often with the help of professionals.
Accompanying the campaign is a digital book, Chronicles of Invisible Violence, which features nine interviews with experts from Monaco’s healthcare, social services, law enforcement, and legal sectors. These professionals share their insights into supporting victims and breaking the cycle of violence. The project was spearheaded by Geneviève Berti, Director of Communication, in collaboration with Le Podcast Monaco Info. The book is now available on the Committee’s website, with podcasts of the interviews set to release on November 25 via YouTube and other platforms.
To amplify the campaign’s impact, a series of events and discussions will take place throughout the week, hosted by the Committee and its partners. These include conferences addressing economic violence, testimonies from women with disabilities who have experienced violence, roundtable discussions on legal frameworks, and performances exploring the realities of violence against women. The campaign will also be supported by visual displays on buses and digital panels across Monaco, organised by Monaco Women Leaders. Associations such as She Can He Can and Fight Aids Monaco will focus on engaging men in the fight against gender-based violence. The iconic white ribbon will serve as a symbol of solidarity, encouraging all residents to take a stand on November 25.
Discover more details on the campaign and the digital book here.
Image: Céline Cottalorda, Monaco’s Interministerial Delegate for Women’s Rights
