NGOs to march against 'patriarchal violence'
Demonstration in Valletta on Sunday to mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
Violence against women does not simply show up in isolated incidents, it is woven into the fabric of our every day lives, Moviment Graffitti said on Thursday.
The NGO is joining forces with 15 other organisations to host a demonstration on November 23 to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
The demonstration, starting at 4pm in front of the Law Courts in Valletta, will highlight how society is “permeated by a culture of verbal violence”.
“Hateful and sexist comments on social media, cat calling, demeaning insults meant to belittle and intimidate – these actions are too often dismissed as trivial, when in truth they form part of the same continuum of patriarchal violence that harms, silences and kills,” Moviment Graffitti said.
“Only by naming this violence and confronting it directly can we hope to eradicate it.”
The NGO’s hope to shine a light on the physical and psychological violence that takes place inside homes, behind closed doors, in workplaces, in schools, and in our institutions.
“The trauma inflicted by femicides wounds us individually and collectively. We will remember the women whose lives were taken in recent years and we will say their names.”
They added that recent updates in the Bernice Cilia court case remind us that even when the perpetrator receives the maximum sentence, nothing can repair the loss suffered.
“Her case demonstrates clearly that when justice is delayed, justice is never truly restorative.”
They also recalled the case of Chantelle Chetcuti, stabbed to death five years ago, whose family is still waiting for a trial date.
The demonstration is being endorsed by the following organisations: Aditus Foundation, ARC, Caritas Malta, Doctors for Choice, IVY – Interrupting Violence towards Youth, Malta Women’s Lobby, Marie Louise Coleiro, Men Against Violence, MGRM, Migrant Women Association Malta, Moviment Graffitti, Women for Women Foundation, Women’s Rights Foundation, YMCA, YPB, Żminijietna - Voice of the Left.