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The 25 November 2023 Campaign focused on “online violence against women and girls”, and aimed to explore how violence in virtual settings is linked to real-world impacts. The campaign’s key messages were:
- Spot online violence before it gets worse.
- If you witness it, don’t get involved.
- Tell an adult, and make sure you’re not alone.
Manga
To engage with a younger audience, the Committee teamed up with Cédric Biscay, founder of Shibuya Productions and Women’s Rights Ambassador, to produce a special manga comic. The story is set in the world of the popular Blitz manga series, in a fictional high school of the same name, and features several characters from the franchise. Some of the behaviours singled out for criticism in the manga include:
- sharing intimate photos of someone without their consent
- publishing faked photos
- ganging up on others
- psychological bullying
The manga was unveiled at Monaco Library on 23 November, then published in paper and digital formats (available here) and distributed in Monegasque schools under a partnership with the Department of Education, Youth and Sport. A social media campaign was also organised, along with posters around the city, including at Fontvieille Shopping Mall.
Stand at La Condamine Market
An outreach event was held at La Condamine market on 22 and 23 November, with a stand staffed by representatives from the Committee’s member charities and government agencies that provide care and support to victims of violence. The stand was an effective way to engage with the public and raise awareness about the services available in Monaco to help those affected by violence.
Finally, white ribbons were handed out to enable people to show their support for the prevention of violence against women, with the support of the AMAPEI and the Union des Femmes Monégasques, whose members kindly made the ribbons.
Reception at the Ministry of State
On 24 November, the Minister of State hosted year 8 and 9 children from schools in the Principality, along with charity leaders and representatives of the members of the Women’s Rights Committee.
Exhibition at the railway station
Between January and March 2024, the Blitz Manga was displayed at the SNCF railway station, a location with particularly high footfall, in a move designed to keep the issue of cyber-violence and cyber-bullying among young people firmly in the public spotlight.
On Tuesday 16 January 2024, HE the Minister of State visited the exhibition, accompanied by Ministers and representatives of the different Monegasque institutions and nonprofits on the Women’s Rights Committee. Cédric Biscay, the author and producer of the Blitz series, was there to discuss the manga and the issue of online violence.
