On November 25, Florence joins cities around the world in marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, with events dedicated to raising awareness on gender-based violence. With the opportunity to reflect on a year-round issue, the events running throughout Florence aim to empower women and condemn all forms of gendered abuse.
L’Eredità delle Donne
This year’s L’Eredità delle Donne festival intentionally coincides with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and has a packed program of presentations from field-leading women. Among these are specific talks on November 25 on consent and sexual assault, and on the laws pertaining to female liberation. The festival is based in Manifattura Tabacchi and their full calendar can be accessed online.
La Danza Nel Cuore
Supported by the Metropolitan City of Florence, the Versiliadanza Cultural Association hosts the fourth edition of their Effetto Donna-Dialoghi Taciuti series, on November 21. Dedicated to the topic of female pain and violence, the dance exhibition sees three interpretations of the female role in society, and the reality of gender-based violence, taking place at the Teatro Cantiere Florida.
Unicoop
Between November 13 and 25, Coop stores are selling special edition biscuits and tote bags, dedicated to raising awareness of gender inequality and violence against women. These items, as well as all Coop receipts until November 25, will bear the number 1522, the 24 hour helpline for reporting gender-based violence. In collaboration with the ‘Silence Speaks’ initiative, a portion of the proceeds will go to anti-violence centers in Tuscany and the Differenza Donna Association.
The University of Florence
To mark the occasion, the University of Florence has a total of 18 events planned between November 22 and 28, both online and in person, to educate on the statistics, laws and representations of violence against women in Italy. The full list of events can be read online. November 24 will see the university building in piazza San Marco symbolically lit up in red to publicize the initiative, and they are taking part in the ‘Posto Occupato’ campaign, to memorialize victims of femicide.
Non Una di Meno
At 7pm on November 21, Non Una di Meno have organized a “noisy march” from piazza Santissima Annunziata. On November 25, the Florence branch is organizing a coach directly from Florence to Rome, to join the march in the capital, and tickets for the coach are available to book online through their social media. Additionally, the Prato branch will have their own assembly, starting at 4.30pm at piazza del Comune, Prato. More information is available on their Instagram page.
Public libraries
Florence’s public libraries are offering an array of free events between November 23 and 28, including round-tables, exhibitions and book launches, as well as shelves dedicated to educational resources on the female position in society. See the Comune di Firenze website for more.
