Stop the violence against women. Now.
As part of that wonderful institution that the University represents, which has the honor and duty of training new generations of professionals, of walking for a short period of life with young people who aspire to deepen their skills in a specific field, to see them grow and mature, we cannot remain indifferent. We cannot remain in our comfort zone, limiting ourselves to transmitting knowledge.
We must not emphasize competition but, on the contrary, show the power of collaboration. We must solicit consciences and promote virtuous behaviors about gender issues, respect for women, and the condemnation of every form of vile violence against them. Women must be aware of their own value and freedom to decide, realize themselves, love, avoid toxic situations and relationships, and move away from people who embody them.
Spot by Carolina Melis realized for Relive Communication
Giulia Cecchettin was an undergraduate student in biomedical engineering at the University of Padua. In the past few days, we have represented the dismay and real closeness to our colleagues, because no one should have ever even thought of closing those clean eyes and turning off that kind smile, an image that Giulia shares with many students that we have the pleasure of meeting in our work. They were students from good families, who experienced situations common to many couples of students who take part in our lessons. On the one side, a girl who revealed that sincere attachment that leads one to stay close to the other, even after the end of a love story, and on the other side an inhuman desire to possess another person, in the anesthesia to the horror and violence (verbal and physical) continuously proposed by the media.
The majority of women in our group represent the evidence of their value in science and technology, and of the incredible contribution they can give, especially when they manage to work as a team. In Cagliari, the top figure of bioengineering is a woman, further demonstrating that there is no upper limit for women in bioengineering. But, evidently, Giulia teaches us that we are doing something wrong, that more can be done, that more must be done, and that the time is now.
United to end violence against women, to never see again the fading of the smile on any woman’s face. We’re all asked to do something. We owe this to Giulia and all the other known and unknown victims of men’s violence. And if you are doubting the appropriateness of having an article of this kind on the website of a university laboratory, perhaps this article is perfect to make you think.
November 25, 2023.
