The group of feminist initiatives of Moldova, in cooperation with the association “Oberliht” and the information center “Genderdoc-M”, launches the first Feminist Festival in Moldova. According to the organizers, the goal is to increase awareness of what consent is and of the fact that “NO means NO”. The agenda of the festival was presented in a news conference at IPN.
According to the founder of the Feminist Movement of Moldova Victoria Apostol, the festival starts from the problem of gender-based violence and refers in particular to violence against women.
Ana Gurau, a member of the Gender Equality Platform, said that regardless of age, violence does not have justification. “We want the people, especially women and girls, to identify situations that cause discomfort and suffering to them and to understand that these are not justified and they can take measures to protect themselves,” stated Ana Gurau.
Activist Dumitru Alaiba noted there is a lack of respect in society, which takes a dangerous form in the relations between women and men. Society is dominated by clichés and stereotypes that degenerate into dangerous statistics. “The statistics we possess show that one rape is committed in Moldova daily. But we know very well that there are also undeclared cases. We must understand that not the women ask to be raped. Physical abuse leads to this crime,” he said.
According to the program of the Feminist Festival 2017, a public discussion entitled “Consent as part of sexual education: How to cultivate respect for the person’s physical and emotional integrity” will be held at the Laundry Theater on March 6. This will be moderated by activist Andrei Lutenko, while among the invitees are psychologist of the Center for Assistance and Protection of Victims ad Potential Victims of Trafficking in Human Beings Lilia Gorceag, lawyer Oana Garlescu, of the Mental Disability Advocacy Centre, and POT Music founder Lilian Severin.
On March 7, starting at 6pm, the Laundry Theater will host the screening of the film “Bacalaureat”, directed by Cristian Mungiu. This will be followed by a public discussion about sexual violence in education institutions in Moldova and the treatment of victims by the judicial system.
The festival ends with the feminist march “NO means NO”, which will be held at 12 noon on March 8. The column sets off from the UNIC store. The event is designed to remind about the idea of March 8. The significance of this day has been distorted in time, stated Diana Guja, a supporter of the Feminist Movement of Moldova.
At 8pm, Artiom Zavadovsky will give a recital entitled “Our language is a burning fire”. The festival ends with a thematic party titled “Star Wars: The Pussy Strikes Back” at the Laundry Theater starting at 9pm. Tickets cost 8 lei. The collected money will be used for charity.
