Raising awareness: 16 sculptures to combat violence against women
In the coming days, 16 silhouettes of women will be displayed in the busiest locations in Chișinău, symbolising the victims of violence.
This initiative is part of a social campaign to inform and raise awareness about the severity of violence against women. According to statistics, one in six women in the Republic of Moldova is a victim of violence. The campaign, entitled "Can You See Me? Believe Me. Stand By Me," will launch on November 25 and last for 16 days. The 16 female silhouettes, created by artist Victoria Peeva, will be set up in the busiest public spaces.
"The concept behind these sculptures is very profound, with every detail carrying meaning. Speaking of the carved face, without makeup, it symbolises a woman who, through years of abuse, has lost her identity. The paper sculpture symbolises the emotions of the woman, which have sometimes been smoothed over, sometimes torn, and sometimes crumpled," says Victoria Peeva, the creator of the sculptures.
The "Can You See Me? Believe Me. Stand By Me" campaign will run for 16 days, and specialists will visit various districts across the country to discuss the forms of violence and inform women about how they can report instances of violence. The campaign aims to raise awareness among as many people as possible, encouraging victims of violence to report these cases.
"This is what we aim to do: facilitate access to assistance for survivors of violence, so they are not afraid to reach out to organisations offering support. At the very least, they should contact the helpline for women and girls, and those around them – family, neighbours – should offer help if they know these individuals," said Viorelia Rusu, program specialist at UN Women.
"We have seen an increase in reports, which is very important to note, as it indicates that women are gaining more trust in our system and are now more willing to report," said Viorica Țîmbalari, head of the Agency for Combating Violence.
Opinions are divided among both men and women. Some say that much depends on education, while others believe that authorities should take more decisive action to combat this phenomenon:
"I believe that weak men raise their hands, but a strong man will never do so. Many forgive, but this is unforgivable, especially given the many centres that can help."
"I don’t think this can be allowed. Everywhere you turn, there are problems."
"We need to better educate men; it all depends on how they behave in society today, as many are now malicious."
"To eliminate this phenomenon, better living conditions must be created."
The campaign "Can You See Me? Believe Me. Stand By Me" will launch on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. According to statistics, in 2023, 21 women lost their lives due to domestic violence in the Republic of Moldova. Fourteen cases of death were recorded in urban areas, and seven in rural areas. Globally, in 2022, approximately 48,800 women and girls were killed by their partners or other family members.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
