UNiTE! Invest to Prevent Violence Against Women & Girls! #No Excuse
Violence against women and girls remains one of the most prevalent and pervasive human rights violations in the world. Globally, an estimated 736 million women
— almost one in three — have been subjected to physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both, at least once in their life. This scourge has intensified in different settings, including the workplace and online spaces, and has been exacerbated by post-pandemic effects, conflicts, and climate change. The solution lies in robust responses, including investment in prevention. However, alarmingly, data on how much nations are committing to counteract violence against women and girls remains glaringly sparse. For instance, just 5% of government aid is focused on tackling violence against women and girls, and less than 0.2% is directed to its prevention. We need more investment in women’s organizations, better legislation, prosecution of perpetrators, more services for survivors, and training for law enforcement officials.
64 Authors:
Maurizio Bondesan, Fátima Seehagen, Steve Cohen, Tanya Tkacheva, Thierry Butler, Strizhachenko Tatyana,
Caroline Bergstrøm Scheibel, Eser Dilmen, Michel Duquesnoy, Yves Jacob, Lumin Osity, Peter Murrowood, André Breton, Alec Stewart, Teodora Oniceanu, Maryam Ameer, ks mlt, Helena Layzu, Gilbert Fonchin,
Jobove Reus, Andy Royce, Luca Storero, T.dex Photography, Javier Molina B., Giuseppe Brusa,
Swati Kamalakar, Paola Bottoni, Pietro Asproni, ks mlt, Margret Tschirch, Philippe Lemoine,
Rossend Gri i Casas, Henadz Krauchanka, abdul rahim, Füsun Venceli, Emmanuel Geitz,
Ilelu' (ileana lucia ferri), Olga Chizhevskaya, Yoko Shibata, Yulia Correal, Müge Bağcı,
Drakke Lerouge, Wolfgang Barth, Jimm Hughey, Damiano Mandalà, Viera Babecova, Nick John,
Ricardo Rycko, Barbara Monacelli, Karen Stellmach, Waldemar Seehagen, Sol Vasilliorf, Michael Ackzien,
Gamze Altıntaş, zbig wolowiec, Brian Autio, Christian Barthold – Free works, Elaine Ye,
Matthew Sarides, Viktória Kovát, Robert Peek, Shivangi M., Jaroslaw Rufer, Sylvie D.
From 23 countries:
Italy, Brazil, United States of America, Germany, Kyrgyzstan, Denmark, Türkiye, Chile, France,
Australia, Scotland, Romania, Japan, Bangladesh, Spain, United Kingdom,
India, Canada, Belarus, Mexico, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden, Hungary, Netherlands.
Original idea: Maurizio Bondesan.
Creation Logo "Stop Violence Against Women" & icons: Fátima Seehagen
Editor: Steve Cohen
Layout: Fátima Seehagen & Sylvie D.
From Italy ღ MAURIZIO BONDESAN
"Score"
Acrylic on canvas cm. 40x40
This painting celebrates the sacred connection between femininity and nature. Those who outrage her not only commit a criminal act but also fail to understand the system on which our existence is based.
From Brazil ღ Fátima Seehagen
Don't allow!
(Developed with AI tools)
From United States of America ღ Steve Cohen
Remembering How It Was For Her Then…..
Seeing How It Is For Her Daughter Now…..
Hoping For How It Could Be For Her Granddaughter Tomorrow…….
From Germany ღ Tanya Tkacheva
When I was making this watercolor, I was inspired by the words of the Little Prince from Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's novel "The Little Prince" about the fragility and resilience of the Rose flower. "You should never listen to what flowers say. You should just look at them and breathe in their scent! I didn't understand anything then! You should have judged not by words, but by deeds. She gave me her scent, illuminated my life. I shouldn't have run. You should have guessed the tenderness behind these pathetic tricks and ruses. Flowers are so inconsistent! But I was too young, I didn't know how to love yet." Beautiful, touching words of the Prince. For me, the Rose flower is one of the most beautiful and iconic plants, symbolizing feminine strength and determination. This flower, with its delicate petals and intoxicating scent, represents beauty in all its essence. Like women, the rose faces challenges and adversity with courage and determination. Despite the obstacles that may come its way, the rose always finds a way to bloom and show its unique radiance. It is a reminder that beauty is not only on the surface, but also in a strong, resilient spirit within. The rose inspires us to be brave, to face our fears and not to give in to difficulties.
From United States of America ღ Thierry Butler
A Rose is a Rose is a Rose.
A poem written by Gertrude Stein.
Over the years, roses have come to symbolize some of
our strongest feelings, such as love, passion and
admiration. Whether you want to express love,
friendship, or joy, there's a rose for every emotion and occasion..
From Kyrgyzstan ღ Strizhachenko aka100
These hands have shaped so much in life,
In every task, they’ve faced the strife,
They’ve sown in hearts a joy so bright,
And stopped the darkness, bringing light.
These hands belong to one who’s wise,
A poet, architect—no compromise,
These hands, my mother’s, strong and true,
Through them, the world finds hope anew.
In every task, they’ve faced the strife,
They’ve sown in hearts a joy so bright,
And stopped the darkness, bringing light.
These hands belong to one who’s wise,
A poet, architect—no compromise,
These hands, my mother’s, strong and true,
Through them, the world finds hope anew.
From Denmark ღ Caroline Bergstrøm Scheibel
My Art - stop violence against women
I was deeply moved when I was invited to join a group aimed at addressing this issue. I have also thought a lot about how to communicate this difficult and sensitive topic. There will be two projects. One: you are looking at right now at joined community work and number to at my Behance profile.
The essence of my art piece lies in the mosaic of faces portraying individuals of all ages, genders, and ethnicities. Each face represents a unique piece of the puzzle, coming together to form a collective voice. They become small dots. But not without a voice. It’s very inspiring what is happening in for example Iran.
This artwork serves as a tribute to the resilience and strength of women who endure various forms of abuse on a daily basis.
Through the diversity of the faces depicted, I aim to convey a sense of unity and solidarity, highlighting the shared struggles and experiences that unite us all.
May this mosaic of faces serve as a powerful reminder of the need for empathy, understanding, and support for those affected by abuse in any form.
Some of the pictures are very small and almost disappearing. The symbolic mean that the women, they are almost invisible because our society is not always taking the women’s issue seriously.
In both projects focus are on the strength of women specially, when we are demonstrating enlarged number of people. But also the fact that so many people are suffering from the hardship of violence.
My reflection
There are a more fundamental personal reason why I am concerned about the issue of violence against women. When I was young, I had a few friends who unfortunately were either in abusive relationships with their male partners or were victims of rape. There was also a suicide. The reason was never recorded as no note was left behind.
This left deep impressions on me, and I helped them as much as I could. Over the years, I have been very active in various organizations. I have always advocated for treating people properly, regardless of gender, religion, sexuality, or political beliefs.
Unfortunately, I have witnessed that incidents such as bullying, social imbalance, individuals abusing power to degrade others because they are in a position to do so, or violations in public life are on the rise.
From Turkey ღ Eser Dilmen
The woman and the olive tree are very similar: both are symbols of peace, holiness, fertility, wisdom and purity.
From Chile ღ Michel Duquesnoy
Cape Horn. View of the albatross monument around 6 a.m.
From France ღ Yves JACOB
Woman Is the Future of Man
by Jean Ferrat
The poet is always right.
He sees beyond the horizon
And the future is his kingdom.
Before our generation,
I declare along with Aragon:
Woman is the future of man.
Between the former and the current,
Your struggle, on all levels,
Is inseparable from ours.
Among the men who write the laws,
If some sing with my voice,
Others find support for their decrees in the Bible.
The poet is always right.
He destroys the ancient analysis,
The image of Eve and the apple.
Before the ancient curses,
I declare along with Aragon:
Woman is the future of man!
To be in labour without suffering,
To be in control of births,
Took millennia.
Once we get past the Middle Ages,
Your centuries of infinite servitude
Still weigh heavy on the Earth.
The poet is always right.
He announces the flowering
Of other loves in his kingdom.
Put the song back in its place
And declare with Aragon:
Woman is the future of man!
We will have to relearn how to live,
Write a new book together,
Rediscover all the possibilities.
Each thing finally shared,
Everything about the couple will change
Irreversibly.
The poet is always right.
He sees beyond the horizon
And the future is his kingdom.
Before all other generations,
I declare along with Aragon:
Woman is the future of man.
The song is inspired by the famous line “L'avenir de l'homme est la femme”
(“The future of man is woman”) by poet Louis Aragon.
♫ Song https://youtu.be/Kfw2IDl_SIQ
From United States of America ღ Lumin Osity
Finding a Safe Space
From Australia ღ Peter Murrowood
He was a man all booze and muscle,
She was a woman limber and lithe,
He'd come home late on every Friday,
She'd take her beatings and stay inside,
We all stood by 'cos we knew when it happened,
We were all saddened when we heard that she died.
From France ღ André Breton
From Romania ღ Teodora Oniceanu
Ashamed, I have chosen wrong,
Every single touch of yours
Embedded in my memory, cutting life chains,
Branded, stuck in my mind
I am
Thinking I could change your heart,
Believing every word you ever spoke,
Hurtful or flattering,
Now everything’s the same
Core-imprinted sound
Digging deep trenches into my skin,
Blood spilt to yell out broken pieces of flesh _
I have lost my identity.
Who am I? Lost...
I never thought you would hurt me!
Every single touch of yours
Embedded in my memory, cutting life chains,
Branded, stuck in my mind
I am
Thinking I could change your heart,
Believing every word you ever spoke,
Hurtful or flattering,
Now everything’s the same
Core-imprinted sound
Digging deep trenches into my skin,
Blood spilt to yell out broken pieces of flesh _
I have lost my identity.
Who am I? Lost...
I never thought you would hurt me!
_ Theodora Oniceanu
From India ღ Maryam Ameer
From Japan ღ ks mlt
May the simple beauty of these little flowers that represent all women help humanity find its way to a path of peace, calm and compassion.
From Bangladesh ღ Helena Layzu 🙂 BD
The world couldn’t be imagined without women. She is a woman, mother, daughter, sister, wife. Everyone has to show love and respect to women. We never expect violence from any woman. I just want to say, ”Stand against violence, choose harmony” through my art.
From France ღ gilbert FONCHIN
Stop à la violence envers les femmes
Arrêtons nous les hommes de considérer les femmes
comme étant à notre disposition et réapprenons "tous"
à penser autrement la masculinité et la féminité et
préférons voir en l'autre un autre nous-même.
From Spain ღ Jobove - Reus
Reus - IA (women's wrestling) - Baix Camp
From United States of America ღ Andy Royce
Resilience
This photograph of a deep purple flower symbolizes the grace and resilience of women. Just as the petals protect the flower’s center, we must protect and honor women, denouncing the violence they endure. The delicate beauty and intricate details of this flower serve as a tribute to their strength and sacredness. Let this image remind us of the importance of standing against brutality and advocating for a world where women are safe and respected.
From Italy ღ Luca Storero
From United Kingdom ღ Javier Molina B.
Thistles
“No animal can learn that which his heart has no way to hold”
From Italy ღ Giuseppe Brusa
For the Stop Violence against Women project,
I thought of the elegance of the butterfly that lands on the flower.
From India ღ Swati Kamalakar
From Italy ღ Paola Bottoni
As we women have always been: fragile but tenacious.
From France ღ Pietro Asproni
I’ve always loved poppies, since my childhood, maybe because I’ve always lived in places with a lot of poppy fields (first in Sardinia, now in Provence). Their vivid colour, the joy they transmit, their elegance and strength when they dance, shaken by the wind: I cannot avoid associating these flowers with women.
From Canada ღ Philippe Lemoine
From Spain ღ Rossend Gri i Casas
Enough sexist violence
From Belarus ღ Henadz Krauchanka
From Turkey ღ Füsun Venceli
From United Kingdom ღ abdul rahim
From Mexico ღ Emmanuel Geitz
From Italy ღ ilelu' (ileana lucia ferri)
Free from violence
Free to be what we want.
Free to be what we want.
From Belarus ღ Olga Chizhevskaya
Just as flowers need sunlight, water, and care to bloom beautifully, women deserve respect, love, and protection to thrive in the garden of life. Let us nurture and defend every flower in the world; ensuring that they can flourish free from fear and harm.
From United Kingdom ღ S H
"There is a direct connection between violence against the Earth and violence against women."
- Lee Maracle
- Lee Maracle
I have chosen the Echinop also known as the globe-thistle flower to honour the sacredness of women and condemn brutality against them. In ancient cultures the globe thistle has been long admired for its hardy demeanors and resilient nature, making it a symbol of strength and endurance. The globe-thistle is also believed to symbolise devotion, bravery, determination and strength. Traditional folklore also believed the thistle represented protection and good fortune for those who cultivated it. This beautifully summarises and resonates the qualities of strong, brave, resilient beautiful women around the world who have experienced and are still experiencing the hands of violence against them.
I also love that in this image, I was fortunate to capture a couple of bees enjoying the pollen from this flower - and felt this image was quite a powerful representation of women and especially mothers. In most cases, no matter the circumstance, the environment, the pain, the suffering and the struggle, a woman - never fails in nourishing and giving love to those who depend on them.
[This image was taken in Holland Park, London using Canon 1300D]
From Japan ღ Yoko Shibata
The meaning of this flower "Hibiscus coccineus" is "gentleness" and "calmness." It is a flower with a strong and gentle image.
From Spain ღ Yulia Correal
From Turkey ღ Müge Bağcı
*THE GREAT DEVELOPMENT OF HUMANITY*
Hypatia, who lived between 370-415 AD, was an Alexandrian and the world’s first female mathematician.
She sets an example of a higher level of consciousness for all of us, like other values that leave their mark on history.
TO OUR WOMEN ;
Awaken the creator within you.
Perhaps you will create what has been awaited for centuries.
Be brave in sharing what you create,
Illuminate your surroundings like a candle.
Hypatia.
✼ ✼ ✼
The original name of the Istanbul Convention is The Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention and Combating of Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence.
From France ღ Drakke Lerouge
Run Your Life
In memory of Rebecca Cheptegei, marathon runner at the Paris 2024 Olympics who died tragically, a victim of femicide.
From Germany ღ Wolfgang Barth
First level, the woman
Second level, the fist as a symbol of violence
Third level, STOP
Fourth level, the rose as a symbol of grace
Fifth level, the destroyed rose after violence.
From United States of America ღ Jimm Hughey
In the order of the flowers, left to right.
~ Gladiolus - Gladiolus spp. (Sword)
It represents strength and moral integrity. It symbolizes courage, determination, and the ability to overcome challenges—the ability to resist violence.
It represents strength and moral integrity. It symbolizes courage, determination, and the ability to overcome challenges—the ability to resist violence.
~ Protea (Sugarbush) - Queen Protea
Represents women’s transformation, strength, and endurance. They thrive in harsh environments and are known for their ability to survive and bloom in the face of Adversity.
Represents women’s transformation, strength, and endurance. They thrive in harsh environments and are known for their ability to survive and bloom in the face of Adversity.
~ Sunflower - Helianthus annuus
Growing tall and robust, turning toward the light, Women’s resilience and representing the ability to recover.
Growing tall and robust, turning toward the light, Women’s resilience and representing the ability to recover.
~ Lotus - Nelumbo nucifera (Sacred Lotus)
The lotus symbolizes purity, enlightenment, self-regeneration, and rebirth. It grows in muddy waters but emerges pristine and beautiful, reflecting the inner strength of women who rise above adversity. Thus, the lotus is a strong representation of personal growth and strength.
The lotus symbolizes purity, enlightenment, self-regeneration, and rebirth. It grows in muddy waters but emerges pristine and beautiful, reflecting the inner strength of women who rise above adversity. Thus, the lotus is a strong representation of personal growth and strength.
~ Magnolia - Magnolia grandiflora
They are associated with dignity, perseverance, and resilience. Their large, intense blooms thrive in challenging environments, symbolizing a woman’s grace and strength in adversity. It represents inner resilience and the ability to flourish despite trauma.
They are associated with dignity, perseverance, and resilience. Their large, intense blooms thrive in challenging environments, symbolizing a woman’s grace and strength in adversity. It represents inner resilience and the ability to flourish despite trauma.
~ Lavender - Lavandula angustifolia (English Lavender) & Lavandin, Lavandula latifolia
It represents calm, peace, and protection. It has historically been associated with healing and strength. Lavender’s calming and protective properties symbolize the strength to heal and the need for peace and safety for women everywhere.
It represents calm, peace, and protection. It has historically been associated with healing and strength. Lavender’s calming and protective properties symbolize the strength to heal and the need for peace and safety for women everywhere.
From Italy ღ Damiano Mandalà
Cloudless sky
Acrylic and mixed media on canvas.
‘Flowers and grass and a cloudless sky
resemble shapes that are or
seem when sleepers wake up
and dream again, and when everything ends
they declare, having under their eyes only
their own bed, that the heavens had opened’.
William Butler Yeats
resemble shapes that are or
seem when sleepers wake up
and dream again, and when everything ends
they declare, having under their eyes only
their own bed, that the heavens had opened’.
William Butler Yeats
From Slovakia ღ Viera Babecova
Orchid woman
From Sweden ღ Nick John
Woman, Life, freedom
Kvinna, liv, frihet
Femme, Défi, Liberté
زن، زندگی، آزادی.
From Brazil ღ Ricardo Rycko
From Italy ღ Barbara Monacelli
"Blue Cloud"
Gouache on paper cm 30x25
Love yourself, don't let "them "overshadow your Beauty
From United States of America ღ Karen Stellmach
A serious issue, it’s a pervasive and persistent problem that affects millions of woman and girls worldwide.
Together, we can create a safer, more equitable world for woman and girls.
From Brazil ღ Waldemar Seehagen
About Roses
(Still life manipulated with AI tools)
From Brazil ღ Sol Vasilliorf
Azaleas (Rhododendrons) are flowers associated with femininity and delicacy, characteristics
generally attributed to women.
It is unthinkable, therefore, to admit that women suffer violence. However, the concept of violence should not be limited to physical aggression committed by men. Violence against women is also practiced when they are disrespected by acts and words that demean their sex, color, appearance, age and social position.
Women deserve respect just like any other human being!
From Germany ღ Michael Ackzien
"Fear" (Model: Ari)
From Turkey ღ Gamze Altıntaş
From Poland ღ Zbig Wolowiec
From United States of America ღ Brian Autio
Yellow represents hope and energy - both are needed to stop this madness.
From Germany ღ Christian Barthold – Free works
From Australia ღ Elaine Ye
From Canada ღ ✪ Matthew Sarides
From Hungary ღ Viktória Kovát
Yellow rose
The yellow rose is an international symbol of the fight against domestic violence. Domestic violence
is estimated to claim the life of one woman every week in Hungary. Although, exact data are not
available from the authorities, but according to police, the number of victims
of domestic violence crimes has doubled in five years.
From Netherlands ღ Robert Peek
Cosmea
From India ღ Shivangi M.
"The choice is yours—choose wisely."
From blossom to bruise, from love to scorn,
A choice lies within each new day’s morn.
To hold her as sacred, to lift her with care,
Or to strip her of petals, to leave her bare.
Each flower unfurls with a gentle breath,
Each woman deserves the same respect.
To cradle her beauty, to cherish her power,
Not crush what blooms like a radiant flower.
Each woman deserves the same respect.
To cradle her beauty, to cherish her power,
Not crush what blooms like a radiant flower.
The choice is yours, to nurture or break,
To sow seeds of kindness or let anger quake.
From bloom to battery, it’s clear to see—
Honor her spirit, and let her be free.
To sow seeds of kindness or let anger quake.
From bloom to battery, it’s clear to see—
Honor her spirit, and let her be free.
From Poland ღ Jaroslaw Rufer
I wish women to be like these field flowers: resistant to the wind, resistant to the sun, resistant to the rain or lack thereof.
Resistant to other plants growing around them, which embody people who want to do them harm.
That they should always have their heads turned upwards.
To be proud and independent.
Like those field flowers.
Resistant to other plants growing around them, which embody people who want to do them harm.
That they should always have their heads turned upwards.
To be proud and independent.
Like those field flowers.
From Canada ღ Sylvie D
Why rapes, homicides and violence against women?
Violence against women can take many forms: physical, sexual, societal, psychological, emotional, economic and technology-facilitated.
According to new UNICEF estimates released on 10 October 2024, "more than 370 million girls and women alive today – or 1 in 8 – have experienced rape or sexual assault before the age of 18. If we include forms of “non-contact” sexual violence, such as online or verbal abuse, the number of girls and women affected rises to 650 million worldwide – or 1 in 5, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive prevention and support strategies to effectively address all forms of violence and abuse.
Rape is in no way caused by a woman’s clothing or her attitude. It is not the result of any so-called “irresponsible” behaviour on the part of the victim (going out late at night, walking home alone, accepting a drink, etc.). Rape is never caused by the victim. Rape is always caused by the rapist. Regardless of the circumstances. Rape is a conscious choice to impose one’s domination on another and to constrain him or her. It is not a sudden sexual impulse, but a conscious decision to seriously assault another person. There is no "'excuse" fo rape. Amnesty International.
Throughout her life, no woman will be safe from rape. We must talk about it so that rape and homicides and violence against women stop in the world.
