Our work is dedicated to research and activities in the field of prevention and risk reduction. Although the poisoned fruits of gender inequality can be touched also in this area, on a professional level it is not within our strict competence.
On a professional level, indeed. On a human level, however, we too are part of the society and this reality still so unfair. Therefore, we cannot remain indifferent or silent, and we want to join the collective noise that we hope this year will be more deafening than ever. We want to make our protest heard at least today, on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. We do this by joining the UNITE Campaign of the United Nations, which proposes 16 days of activism: we have asked 16 of the people who work in CIMA Research Foundation, in research or administrative departments, to lend us their voices, gathering brief thoughts, reflections and comments on what the tragedy of violence against women is for them.
We hope that they will make them reflect and understand that we are all involved, one and all, in this systemic and cultural emergency, which can only be fought with the involvement of the whole society, and not by individuals or “appointed bodies.”
Francesca Munerol (Planning and Procedures Department): Between thoughts and actions, there are words. Only poetry, which each of us has inside, will save us from indifference.
From our love I want listening
without executing judgment,
the confrontation without conflict,
the side-by-side without the exhaustion,
that the welcoming of our encounters remain hospitality and never obsession .
Francesco Avanzi (Hydrology and Hydraulics Department): Gender violence is an act of violence against everyone. To address it, we need to promote and rediscover the culture of non-violence, respect, and listening.
I want to be you, not have you, I want to learn you, not correct you, I want to choose you, not suffer you,
I want to participate in your freedom without intruding on your forks and not be there at all the days when you want you all to yourself
Francesco Avanzi (Hydrology and Hydraulics Department): Gender violence is an act of violence against everyone. To address it, we need to promote and rediscover the culture of non-violence, respect, and listening.
I don’t want to hold you, I want to support you.
(Gio Evan)
Badredin Jamjama (ambito ICT): Gender-based violence is not just a shadow in our society, but a painful reality that touches many lives. Every small action, every word of support or education can be a step toward a future where equality and respect are not just ideals, but an everyday reality. It is time to make these small actions our habit, our way of life, but above all our non-negotiable principle.
Elena Allara (Project Support Department): It is not enough to read yet another news story of violence and be hurt. We must create a thought in our minds that leads us to reflect on how much our current society needs to change its mindset.
Giorgio Meschi(Wildfire and Forest Biodiversity Conservation Department): Although I have never personally experienced any events related to gender violence, the issue is of significant importance to me: I often find myself reflecting on what thoughts drive such violence, as they are foreign to me. I believe that this problem has a strong connection to the family environment in which one is raised, and therefore is not influenced by the concept of age. However, certain behaviors in today’s society could increase or decrease incidents of gender violence in future generations depending on the type of actions (direct or indirect) that are taken today.
Anna Borroni (Marine Ecosystems Department): Although I have never personally experienced acts of gender violence, news stories make me feel, even unconsciously, less safe and somewhat privileged. Looking at the past, I believe that small steps forward have been made, but the path to eradicating this problem is still very long. In a society like ours, where the focus has primarily been on the development of cognitive intelligence in education, and where psychological support is still often considered taboo, I think a significant step forward could be to invest more in the development of emotional intelligence from childhood with specialized educational programs, and to make psychological support easily accessible to everyone .
Bruno Colavitto(Risk Assessment and Disaster Loss Data Department): This November 25th is a good opportunity to reflect on what actions to take against gender violence as men, and I feel that one of the biggest challenges is to break the silence among friends, colleagues, and family, and not to justify situations of violence, no matter how minor they may seem.
Daria Ottonelli(Risk Assessment and Disaster Loss Data Department): Giulia is a woman like me, Giulia is a daughter like me, Giulia is a sister like me, Giulia is a friend like me, Giulia is an engineer like me… Talking and writing about Giulia hurts, moves, and saddens… Giulia feels incredibly close… this closeness, now a source of pain, should lead to kind actions and polite words to help, educate, and make known to our children, friends, partners, colleagues that they should not measure themselves against us as women, friends, partners, colleagues; they should not try to be superior to us as women, friends, partners, colleagues, but understand that together we can go further, and that in respectful relationships we grow and improve.
Francesco Avanzi (Hydrology and Hydraulics Department): Gender violence is an act of violence against everyone. To address it, we need to promote and rediscover the culture of non-violence, respect, and listening.
Giulia Cavallari (Communication Department): One might think that being in a wheelchair or on crutches would spare you from annoyances; however, even in such situations, men generally show their worst side: they increase unwanted compliments, invade your personal space, touch you without consent, and treat you as they would their pets.
I would like a self-examination on their part and also special attention towards more marginalized women, such as disabled, trans, BIPOC, poor women… and I hope that this self-examination ends with a solid acceptance of responsibility and transforms into actions aimed at changing the situation. Because until now, women have fought alone.
For centuries, women have fought alone. It’s time for men to take responsibility for their discriminatory or violent actions/words. Only then will there be a change.
Fabio Violante What future can my daughter have, if we are not able to ensure the safety of everyone from now on? “I’ll do my part”.
Eleonora Panizza (PhD student): Violence against women is not made up of isolated incidents, but is part of a dangerous pattern. Becoming aware of this is the first step in combating it together, men and women alike. To radically change society, we must start by modifying gender dynamics in the actions and words of everyday life. Only in this way can we lay the groundwork for a broader social change.
Lorenzo Alfieri (Hydrology and Hydraulics Department): Gender-based violence is a violation of human rights. We need to educate new generations about respect and a life free from violence.
Margherita Andreaggi (Planning and Procedures Department): We all know a loved one who has suffered violence simply for being a woman. For this reason, I believe it is everyone’s duty to do something to break the culture of inequality in which we are immersed every day.
Federico Pesce (Administration): Change starts with small gestures. Every individual has the duty to take responsibility, fighting alongside women for a world free from violence and fear.
Martina Lagasio (Meteorology and Climate Department): Every daily choice can contribute to change. Let’s invest in young minds, teaching respect, equality, and awareness, addressing the persistent bias in the perception of women.
And let’s also encourage women’s involvement in STEM fields, promoting equal opportunities in research and technology.
Andrea Palermo (Communication Department): Gandhi said, ‘I do not want to live in peace, I want to live for peace,’ because where there is hatred and violence, there is no peace and no future. Let’s commit ourselves every day so that our actions and our words live in peace and true love.