Always learning: WOMAN, Oct 12-14, Trani, Italy
From 12th to 14th of October 2021, we were part of the project WOMAN project: Working On Mastering Adult Nonviolence (n. 2019-1-IT02-KA204-063155). Partners from Spain, the United Kingdom, Poland and the Netherlands met in Trani, small town in South Italian region of Puglia. Project also had also a very active involvement of some local companies and organizations which was extremely useful and interesting to learn more about their best practices and their daily commitment to support women.
On the first day Laura Amoruso led the participants in an interesting discussion about the situation of the labor market for women in Italy and in the partner countries. The second session was curated by Ainhoa Gandariasbeitia, who shared with the participants how the host organization Petit Pas supports the empowerment of women in Trani area. The third session saw the important testimony of the Anti-violence and Anti-Stalking Center SAVE members Marinetta Di Gravina and Mariella Dibenedetto. They gave the participants the opportunity to know in detail their prevention activities and legal and psychological support to the victims of gender violence and stalking.
On the second day we were guests of the OASI2 SAN FRANCESCO Onlus Community, led by Irene and Luisa, who illustrated their services to us through the presentation of their work to support the victims and people in need. This was followed by a discussion on women's rights and discrimination in the participating countries. The second session was hosted by Shiski Concept Space, and led by Architect Roberta Ieva, who gave us the opportunity to learn more about AIDIA, the Italian Association of Women Engineers and Architects which aims to make known the work of professionals and promote the creation of a national and international network of relationships, to encourage the comparison of ideas and experiences with the aim of improving technical skills and providing society with a qualitative contribution. The third session gave the participants the opportunity to take a conscious walk through the streets of Trani in order to identify sexist attitudes, behaviours and/or advertisements, followed by an engaging debate on sexism and daily stereotypes in Italy and in the countries of the participants.
The third day was for Clara Perez de Miguel to present her talk on "The Pillars That Sustain Violence". Clara is a psychologist with post-graduate degrees in equality, gender violence and emotional intelligence, currently engaged in "Equality Space ”, a public centre for gender equality in Madrid, whose objectives are to prevent gender-based violence, empower women and organize awareness-raising activities on gender equality. After the presentation followed the screening of the Italian film "Sorry if I exist" where a brilliant student with a great career abroad, decides to return to Italy, finding herself faced with a world of work that is not only less reliable but also much more sexist, retrograde and full of prejudices, who will fight with a homosexual friend.
At the end of the event, useful information on the Europass and the delivery of the Certificates were shared with the participants.
It was such a valuable experience to learn more about the history, culture and complexities when it comes to gender-based violence and gender inequality.