In 2017, the Club of Novara, Italy, organized a series of activities in support of the fight to eliminate violence against women. In line with the theme “Orange the World”, the Club committed to support the campaign of sensitization against violence against women through:
– displaying an orange banner on the façade of the Municipality of Novara with the Soroptimist logo and the message “Call 1522 if you are a victim of violence”;
– collaborating with numerous restaurants and bars in the city that for the month of November included dishes in their menu made with the typical orange delights of autumn. For each “consumed orange plate” a contribution was made for the purchase of an Antiviolence Kit Case – a wonderful project by the Clubs of Italy
– promoting an app to help victims of violence and raising funds for. The Club organized a concert of sacred music, on 25 November 2017, at the Church of San Giovanni Decollato in collaboration with the Solisti del Cappella Musicale del Duomo. The concert was introduced by the President of the Club Lucia Bonzanini and Dr. Gabriella Colla, referent of the Territorial School Office of Novara, The latter specifically intervened to present the new app “Noi e le donne“, realized by the Comprehensive Institute Bellini of Novara, who won a tender from the Prime Minister’s Office dedicated to initiatives to combat gender violence.
The application, available for Android and IOS, provides the possibility for women to register, to enter a friend’s number, a distress number and an email address to which a pre-set message is sent, if necessary. In addition, it is possible to geo locate from the app the nearest anti-violence centers and consult the relevant legislation. The proceeds from the concert were attributed to the purchase of an Anti-Violence Kit Case.
The members of the Club of Novara were proud to have raised awareness on the issue of violence against women during the 16 days!