EU Info Centre marked International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women with Photo Exhibition by a French Artist

On the occasion of International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the EU Info Centre in BiH, in collaboration with the French Embassy in BiH and the French Institute in BiH, organise...

On the occasion of International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the EU Info Centre in BiH, in collaboration with the French Embassy in BiH and the French Institute in BiH, organised an exhibition of female nudes by young French artist, model and photographer Natalia Kocachevski titled “Être Humaine/Being a Human” on Thursday 24 of November.

The exhibition consists of a series of self-portraits by the 25 year old French artist that topples stereotypes and taboos caused by the appearance of nudity in society, proving in this way that nudity is not a prerequisite for profanity.

In his opening remarks, Renzo Daviddi, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to BiH, said that combating all forms of violence against women and girls was a fundamental pillar of the respect for human or fundamental rights and remained a priority for the EU.

“The EU assisted through a range of programmes in BiH with regard to respect of women’s rights and gender equality, assisting victims of sexual violence and rape during the war, peace building and reconciliation. Through the Instrument for Stability, the EU is funding a 1,7 million EUR project to ensure access to justice for witness/victims through strengthening Witness Support Networks across BiH,” Daviddi underlined.

The artist, who has participated in numerous exhibitions, and produced hundreds of portraits and photographs, said that for years her goal has been to observe from different angles the difference between the sexes. “I am convinced that the way in which every human being experiences his or her sexual identity, is what determines the evolution of the subjectivity of the individual and forms the basis of their behaviour. It is a question of identity, but I think that education is the key to combating the abuse of women and against gender-based violence,” stressed Kovachevski.

Adviser for Cultural Cooperation of the French Embassy in BiH and Director of the French Institute in BiH, Donato Giuliani, said that artists continue to combat all forms of violence against women, whether physical or verbal at any time.

“Education through the image that the artist promotes stems not only from the artistic qualities, but also from the cultural struggle that aims to teach men sublime beauty that does not necessarily have to be the subject of lust that over violence and attack finds its way to self-justification,” said Giuliani.

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is celebrated on November 25 following a decision of the United Nations from 1999, in memory of the sisters Patria, Minerva and Maria Teresa Mirabal who were brutally murdered in the Dominican Republic in 1960. The aim of marking of this day is to raise public awareness for this important social problem during which a series of events and campaigns highlights the need to work against violence and for the human rights and dignity of every human being, peace, tolerance and non-discrimination.