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To mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the Committee for the Promotion and Protection of Women’s Rights unveiled a new campaign at the Maison du numérique.
After emphasising the need to continue taking action against domestic violence, Céline Cottalorda, Chief Officer for Women’s Rights, stated “for several years now, violence against women in the digital environment has been an increasingly widespread global problem, with serious consequences“.
The theme of the campaign for 25 November 2023 is digital violence against women and girls. “Our aim is to reach young people who are particularly exposed to digital issues and at risk in crisis situations. To achieve this, we chose to publish a manga comic, a medium that is very popular with teenagers and young adults and has an instantly recognisable aesthetic,” continues Céline Cottalorda, adding that the manga comes with a clear slogan: “violence from behind a screen still hurts“.
The key messages of the campaign are:
• Recognising digital violence before it gets worse
• Don’t take part when you witness it
• Tell an adult and don’t be alone
The campaign and the manga have been designed by the creative team behind Blitz, the famous Monegasque manga comic. Cédric Biscay, author and ambassador for women’s rights, explained that “we based the story on the world of Blitz, featuring one of the iconic female characters who has strong personality but finds herself the victim of online violence. I wanted to create something strong and impactful so that these incidents are no longer downplayed, and the gravity of the situation is fully appreciated“, before adding “I firmly believe in the use of soft power to generate public interest in the major issues facing our society; working together with the government is a perfect example of this.”
The manga, which features high school students and their teacher, condemns a range of behaviour including the sharing of intimate photos without consent, the publication of photomontages, mob mentality and the impact of psychological violence on the victim.
At the end of the manga, you’ll find a list of Monegasque support resources and the QR code for App-elles, the app launched in September as an introduction to this series of digital resources.
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Distributing the manga
The manga is available in print and digital format on the Committee website.
It will be shown in schools across Monaco thanks to the support of the Department of Education, Youth and Sport (DENJS). To enhance the awareness campaign aimed at young people, Action Innocence is working with the DENJS to organise manga workshops for pupils in Years 8 and 9.
A preview will be broadcast on 21 November on Monaco Info and social media, with a poster campaign to appear across the city and in the Fontvieille shopping centre.
The programme
Other highlights of the campaign include:
– A manga exhibition in the Fontvieille shopping centre from 21 November
– There will be a stand at the Condamine market where Government departments and associations involved in victim support will be on hand on 22 and 23 November from 9am to 2pm
– The manga will be showcased at the Monaco Multimedia Library on 23 November at 6.30pm, with Cédric Biscay and specialist professionals and associations attending.
– A manga exhibition at the SNCF station from 8 January to 8 March 2024.
On 25 November, the public can also join the fight against violence against women by wearing a white ribbon. You can pick these ribbons up, free of charge, from the stand in the Condamine market.
Other events not to be missed
Finally, Céline Cottalorda warmly thanked the Committee’s associations and partners, who are taking part in this day by proposing actions throughout the week of 25 November.
To discover the manga, visit https://dfm.mc/evenement/manga-blitz-edition-speciale-25-novembre-2023/
