Ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on 25th November, Monaco’s Women’s Rights Committee has unveiled its latest campaign to tackle harder-to-spot forms of violence and abuse.

On 20th November, Monaco Life attended a press conference at the Ministry of State that outlined the Women’s Rights Committee’s plans for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

Central to this year’s event is a new campaign entitled From Shadows to Light that shines a light on the work being done by Monaco-based professionals to help and support victims who have suffered from any form of abuse and violence, from mental and emotional abuse to domestic violence and lesser-known forms of maltreatment and oppression.

A cornerstone of the campaign is Chroniques des Violences Invisibles, a comprehensive book containing interviews with these professionals, as well as practical insights and contact information for support. It is available here. Further details of the campaign can be found here.

Alongside this initiative, the Women’s Rights Committee will be hosting a week-long programme of conferences and roundtable discussions between 22nd and 29th November that will highlight an array of topics, from economic abuse to discrimination against women in sports and against those with disabilities.

Celine Cottolarda, an inter-ministerial delegate for women’s rights in Monaco, said at the press conference, “It’s so important to keep talking about this issue [violence against women]… Some forms of violence are harder to see, which makes them even more difficult to tackle.”

She continued, “Financial control is often used alongside other forms of violence; women with disabilities are more vulnerable to sexual violence, and sadly, they’re often not taken seriously when they seek help. Each year, we try to focus on a specific issue that needs more awareness. Last year, we addressed digital violence, and this year, the goal is to help women find a path to freedom and recovery, while also highlighting the many challenges they face.”

On the agenda

The programme will begin with the Deconstructing Violence conference at 6.30pm on 22nd November. It will be held at the Automobile Club of Monaco and feature Dr. Anne Boisseuil.

This conference will be followed by Let’s Meet: ‘Naissances Respectées’ at 6pm on 23rd November at the Maison des Associations.

On 25th November, Economic Violence and Discriminatory Practices Against Women will be led by Saida Abouid at 6.30pm in the auditorium of the Lycée Rainier III. The following evening, on 26th November, a discussion titled Shedding Light on Invisible Violence Through Law will take place at the same venue.

On 27th November, Women with Disabilities as Victims of Violence: More Exposed, Less Protected will be presented by Stéphanie Gateau, an expert in international strategy and management.

The topic of violence in sports will be addressed in the conference Repairing Violence in Sports at 6.30pm at Théâtre Princesse Grace on 28th November.

Finally, the programme will conclude on 29th November with two events: a screening of Vivantes! at 11am at the Monaco Cinema, followed by Nous les Ambitieuses; and later in the evening, a theatrical forum titled Breaking Denial will be held from 6pm at the restaurant Marius.

All events are free, and registration is possible online. Click here for more information.

During the recent press conference, Cottolarda also mentioned the recently introduced Scale of Violence, a tool designed to help individuals identify and address hidden forms of abuse.

As of 1st November 2024, 49 cases of violence against women have been recorded by Monaco’s Direction de la Sûreté Publique this year. 35 victims have sought assistance from the AVIP, a local support organisation.

Read related:

New ‘Scale of Violence’ tool launched in Monaco to measure violence

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Photo credit: Manuel Vitali / Monaco Communications Department