by Alexane Vialle and Anna Kompatscher
1 in 3 women worldwide have experienced physical and/or sexual violation in their lifetime. 15 million adolescent girls have experienced forced sex. 95% of all human trafficking victims in the EU are women and girls. Silence and lack of awareness over these violences allow them to spread. The Student Association for Gender Equality, which seek to promote gender equality on our campus and explore subjects related to gender and social justice, therefore wants to shed light on this dramatic phenomenon.
Yesterday was the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Gender-based violence is both a cause and a consequence of gender inequality. As UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres put it, “Let us not forget that the gender inequalities that fuel rape culture are essentially a question of power imbalances”.
You certainly have noticed the four installations on campus yesterday! The initiative “Red Shoes” seeks to encourage reflection upon all forms of gender-based violence against women. This initiative was inspired by Elina Chauvet, a Mexican artist, who set up an art installation of red shoes in 2009. The red shoes symbolise the victims of gender-based violence and serve as a poignant reminder.
This initiative has been recreated all across the world, and serves as a powerful message about the need for change in our society.
Through this initiative, we want to show our solidarity, and to dedicate a space in our daily life to all of the women who experience violence of all forms.