womensrights

Gender-Based Violence: An Enduring Millennial Epidemic

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International day for the elimination of violence against women


Gender-based violence is not just a social issue – it is a global, enduring millennial epidemic. As we observe the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, we confront an unsettling reality: the numbers are not receding – they are growing.

Every 10 minutes, a woman is killed.

The United Nations starkly outlines this crisis:

“Violence against women and girls remains one of the most prevalent and pervasive human rights violations in the world. Globally, almost one in three women have been subjected to physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both, at least once in their life. For at least 51,100 women in 2023, the cycle of gender-based violence ended with one final and brutal act—their murder by partners and family members. That means a woman was killed every 10 minutes.”

So, this sobering reality spans across all societies and regions. The scourge of violence is not confined to the home; it has infiltrated workplaces, online spaces, and communities, exacerbated by conflicts, economic insecurity, and even climate change.

Femicide: the extreme manifestation of gender violence


“Femicide” is the term used to describe gender-related killings of women and girls. So, the most extreme manifestation of gender-based violence. The 2023 statistics are staggering:
1- 140 women and girls were killed daily, on average, by someone within their family.
2- Africa was the region with the largest absolute number of killings and with the highest level of violence relative to the size of its female population.
3- Unlike male homicides, often occurring in public spaces, the home remains the most dangerous place for women.

Therefore, this chilling reality underscores a devastating truth: for women and girls, safety is not a given – even in the spaces that should nurture them most.

Gender-based violence: Italy & the “good guy” illusion


In Italy, the murders of Giulia Cecchettin and Giulia Tramontano shattered a dangerous myth: that women are most at risk from strangers, lurking predators, or “monsters” we can easily identify. Instead, the threat often comes from someone far more familiar: the so-called “good guy.”

Giulia Cecchettin’s femicide laid bare the grim truth that partners, not strangers, are often the perpetrators of violence against women. Similarly, the case of Giulia Tramontano, seven months pregnant, poisoned with rodenticide and then murdered by her boyfriend, sent shockwaves through the nation. Today, Milano court sentenced her murderer to life imprisonment, but justice for one does not erase the systemic violence that continues to claim so many lives.

These cases force us to confront an uncomfortable reality: the perpetrator is rarely the deranged figure we imagine. He is ordinary – hidden in plain sight. Specifcally, a culture that normalizes control, entitlement, and violence shapes him.

Changing culture: the long road ahead


The pervasive nature of femicide challenges us to rethink our approach. The rapist or abuser is rarely the deranged figure we imagine. In fact, a culture of entitlement and patriarchy shape him into a man. This is a cultural problem, deeply rooted and insidious.

While education against discrimination from an early age is essential, it is not enough. Tackling gender-based violence requires a collective effort to build a culture of consent, equality, and respect. This cultural shift must begin with families and schools, laying the groundwork for future generations.

A call to action: dismantle patriarchy


As we observe this day, let it not be a moment of passive reflection but a call to action. We must confront the structures and attitudes that perpetuate violence against women. This fight requires more than legislation. It demands a shared commitment to dismantle patriarchy, educate with intention, and foster a culture where no woman fears for her life in the spaces she calls home.

The numbers are more than statistics – they are lives lost, stories cut short. And they demand our unwavering attention.

#noexcuse

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Ahou Daryaei: Say Her Name!

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Mandatory hijab laws – Iran isn’t a country for women


Ahou Daryaei: Say Her Name! Say the name of Ahou Daryaei. Say it aloud. Her name joins a list of brave women fighting for their rights in a country where expressing freedom means risking one’s life. We remember Mahsa Amini, who died after being arrested for not properly wearing her hijab. And now, yet another appalling incident confronts us with a painful truth: Iran isn’t a safe place for women.

Ahou Daryaei is a 30-year-old student at Tehran’s Azad University. Her “crime”? Allegedly violating hijab laws. During a confrontation with university security, Daryaei was harassed by members of the Basij, a volunteer paramilitary group, who reportedly tore off her headscarf and clothes. So, in a defiant act of protest, Daryaei chose to remove her clothes, challenging an unjust system from within the very grounds of her university. In response, she was brutally beaten and detained by the “Morality Police,” who publicly declared that she is mentally unstable. The university’s public relations director claimed she suffers from mental health issues, an accusation frequently levelled against women who defy Iran’s strict moral codes. (CNN)

Image of a mural of Ahou Daryaei by aleXsandro Palombo in front of the Iranian consulate in Milan
Mural of Ahou Daryaei by aleXsandro Palombo in front of the Iranian consulate in Milan.

International outcry for Ahou Daryaei


News of Daryaei’s courageous stand spread rapidly, igniting widespread anger and sparking calls for justice from human rights advocates across the globe. In fact, Amnesty International has demanded her immediate release, while the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran has confirmed that her case is under close observation. Also, Iranian actresses, activists, and students have shown solidarity, underscoring the urgency of protecting personal freedoms and dignity.

The reality behind the “mental disorder” label


But how many times have we heard that a woman challenging injustice is “mentally unstable”? In the Islamic Republic, there is a profound gender apartheid. Specifically, under Iran’s rigid interpretation of Islamic law, the hijab is mandatory for all women in public spaces, enforced by the country’s morality police. But even minor infractions can lead to severe punishment. So, labelling these women as “insane” is a tactic to discredit their courage and silence their voices.

Conclusion


If patriarchy is entrenched across much of the world, in Iran, it’s institutionalised. So, say her name: Ahou Daryaei. She isn’t insane. She is a fighter for freedom, an emblem of resistance in a land that refuses to let women live freely. Amnesty International demands her release, and we echo that call. Stand with her – demand her release.

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Kimia Yousofi: Platform, Leadership and Values

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Championing the right to empowerment


The journey of Kimia Yousofi at the Paris Olympics provided much food for thought on the concepts of platform, leadership, and values. In today’s world, having a platform seems to be everything. Whether the content is authentic or not, few seem to care. You can be uninformed – often the case – but if you have a platform, doors open. You’re in!

Unfortunately, the contemporary idea of a platform often equates to a superficial social media presence. However, we believe that a true platform and leadership are about much more than showcasing a new handbag, your body, or spewing hate towards anyone who doesn’t fit the mainstream mould.

This is why Kimia Yousofi has become one of our favourite athletes: she used the Olympic platform to express her sense of leadership and values.

Kimia Yousofi’s Paris 2024 Olympics inspiring experience


At the Paris 2024 Olympics, Kimia Yousofi ran the slowest time in her preliminary round of the women’s 100m competition. Having already competed in Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo, this was her third Olympics. Yousofi finished with a time of 13.42 seconds, slower than the 13.29 she ran in Tokyo.

Most athletes might feel disappointed at this point, but for Yousofi, this race was just the beginning. As the competition concludes, she removes the bib pinned to the back of her jersey, proudly displaying the red, green, and black emblem of Afghanistan. Then, she turns the bib around, eager to show the camera what is written on the other side. It’s crucial that people see it.

“Education, Sport, Our Right,” it reads.

image of Kim Yousofi holding a card which reads: "Education, Sport, Our Rights."


“Of course, the Olympic Games are a big dream for every athlete, not just for me. I’ve competed in the Tokyo Olympics and the Rio Olympics. But back then, I was running just for myself, because I loved to run. Now, I’m here for Afghanistan’s girls. I almost forgot my dream. I almost forgot everything. And I worked hard for three years, but all of this is for Afghanistan’s girls,” she says.

“I was in Kabul when the Taliban came. And I wanted to stay because I felt I belonged to this country. My people needed me. But many told me they couldn’t guarantee my safety. I was a woman with a public face because I had carried the flag of Afghanistan just a few days before. So I had to flee. I went first to Iran, and then Australia helped me get a visa to go there,” she added.

Ever since the Taliban took over the country, girls have been banned from even studying. “Our girls in Afghanistan, our women, want their basic rights—education, the ability to play sports. They want to be treated as human beings. They want to be able to decide what to do with their lives. These rights have been taken away from them for the last three years. I’m fighting for that.”

Kimia Yousofi and women’s rights


Despite not being in peak physical condition, Yousofi ran. Although she had prepared well for the Olympics, she developed an allergy in the weeks leading up to the event and then injured her right knee just before the race. “My knee was really sore, but I told myself I’m just going to run. I kept icing it and took pain tablets to manage the pain. But I had to run.”

She will do all of this to remind Afghan girls that there is another world out there. “I have a message for Afghan girls. Look for opportunities, and then use them. Even if you get a small one, use it. Don’t give up. Don’t let others make your decisions for you,” she says.

So, if having a platform is the most important thing today, she secured a powerful one! Platform, leadership, and values – all at once. Kimia Yousofi won!

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Fashion and Politics

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How fashion outlines a political view


Fashion and politics are connected, and in fact, some people in the field release some straightforward statements.

The Italian elections, held yesterday, caused concern about the risk of undermining what our parents and grandparents have tried to achieve so far. Something that still was a work in progress but now looks more like a “work in regress.” A political and cultural setback considering it is the first far-right government since Mussolini. Yes, it sounds scary.

Politicians shouting out loud worked to exacerbate a climate of hate. And since people don’t learn from history, repeating mistakes looks like the outcome. So, in this panorama, we found it interesting reading the thought of Pierpaolo Piccioli. One of the most prominent figures in the fashion industry took a clear stance on politics and Italian elections.

Can fashion be political?


Let’s start with a premise. When fashion underscores words such as inclusion, diversity or genderless, it envisions a specific worldview. And that vision of the world has a lot to do with politics, indeed.

So, in a time when some acquired rights are at risk, and that worldview based on ideas that bring people together, accepting all the differences may be swept away. And individual freedom and choices can vanish, it’s good to see people in the fashion industry who aren’t afraid to speak up.

Fashion politics


Pierpaolo Piccioli (Valentino’s designer), from his Instagram account, released a very on-point and heartfelt statement. He spoke in support of freedom, women’s choices on independent decisions about themselves and their bodies, and gender that doesn’t have to be only male or female. Indeed, he released a political statement calling himself “a man of the left.”

Perhaps using words lightly when the world is falling apart isn’t enough. We must speak up to support the world we want to see and take a stand for it.

Whatever happens, we share what Piccioli wrote. We promote a world that values different cultures. And inclusion, diversity, human rights, women’s rights, and LGBTQ rights. Indeed we must respect everyone’s rights. It’s the worldview for modern humans.

But, in the end, we wake up today with a lesson to learn: never take our rights for granted!

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