150 young people from Bologna at Palazzo Ducale to say no to violence against women

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GENOA – 150 young people from Emilia Romagna on a journey that culminated at Palazzo Ducale in Genoa to say no to violence against women: the project “Binario one – Traveling against violence”, promoted by Ugl Railwaymen, under the patronage of the European Parliament, involved five classes who, after a series of in-class discussions on the topic of gender violence, made a journey from Bologna Centrale to Genova Brignole. During the trip, the students had the opportunity to discuss their respective experiences. In the Salone del Minor Consiglio, they then had the opportunity to meet again some witnesses, with whom they had already spoken during the workshops in the courtroom, and the lawyers of the Foundation Double Defencewho held a final speech based on the reflections developed by the students on the proposed themes and reported in writings, drawings or videos, transmitted by the teachers to the lawyers of the non-profit organization.

“We need a change of mentality. I believe that it is really important to reach young people, because they are not only the future, but the present and they are the ones who must have greater sensitivity towards this issue, which is not just gender violence , but also the violence that can arise between them”, he comments Elizabeth Franzoia, head of the Department of Equal Opportunities of the Liguria Region. “Unfortunately, we are now used to reading about episodes of violence and bullying in schools every day.”

“The kids didn’t just take a ‘physical’ train, but a ‘symbolic’ train, full of people and values ​​which are the ones that can truly lead to change”

Among the most touching testimonies is that of the special orphan Valentina Belvisi, left without a mother on 15 January 2017 because she was killed by her husband – and Valentina’s father – with 29 stab wounds. “We must push women to report, but also to tell them that we are therethat we citizens too, the neighbor, the friend, the cousin, be more sentinels and try to be more warm in listening and believing in these stories, because sometimes it could really make the difference, otherwise we would be here listen to other stories of other orphans”, adds Franzoia.

Valentina: “My mother killed by my father with 29 stab wounds, only 18 years in prison” – THE INTERVIEW

The councilor for equal opportunities and schools of the Liguria Region echoes her Simona Iron who adds: “The true culture of non-violence must arise right from school and therefore seeing young people so interested and involved in this initiative means that the work that the institutions do is taking shape”.

“The Liguria Region is very attentive to these issues: last year we donated over 350 thousand euros – also thanks to the many solidarity initiatives – to the eleven anti-violence centers accredited in our territory, to shelters and centers for men who commit violence”