Yesterday in Valletta, Moviment Graffitti and women’s groups held a protest in front of the Law Courts building in Valletta to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Protestors held posters and photos of victims of female victims of male violence including Bernice Cassar, Chantelle Chetcuti and Sion Grech.
Momentum, who also joined the demonstration, stressed that violence against women should not be viewed as a series of isolated incidents but as part of a broader continuum of patriarchal abuse that includes verbal harassment, online hate, and everyday intimidation.
Protestors gathered in front of the Courts building and delivered speeches. One speaker highlighted that women across the world, women are beaten, raped, abused and trafficked by their loved ones on a daily basis and in every passing minute. Other speakers also noted that gay, bisexual, and lesbian individuals face higher levels of abuse than straight men, similar to the experiences of women. Speakers condemned the patriarchal structures that enable violence against women, including both physical and psychological abuse. Women also highlighted a new and growing trend of digital abuse, particularly on social media.
According to national statistics, domestic violence is increasing in Malta especially in the Southern Harbour areas. Nationalist MP Graziella Attard Previ is calling for more enforcement and monitoring of perpetrators of domestic violence.
You can watch the footage of the protest here.
Newsroom
Leave a Reply