Giacomo D'Orlando
SEEME IS PROUD TO PRESENT
THE STORY OF ARTIST:
Giacomo D'Orlando
"Her Story" for me is to give a voice to women that have been deprived of their freedom, giving them a personal revenge and celebrating their rebirth. When I arrived in Nepal I was shocked by the beauty of this Country without thinking to all the important social problems that it has. Given that I love comprehend different cultures and helping people, I have begun to working for an NGO which helps women victim of violence and since that time I started to really understand this deep rooted social issue. The gender based violence is the major reason that leads to suicide, the principal cause of death among Nepali women in reproductive age. The Nepal Demographic and Health Survey has revealed that one in five women of reproductive age (15-49 years old) has reported once in their lifetime an experience of physical violence and more than one in ten experienced sexual violence. However, a majority (75%) did not seek any help and only 7% of women who had experienced sexual violence had reported the assault for fear to be marginalized in their community. The principal reason why GBV is so common among Nepali women is due to the deep conviction in the society that man is more important than woman. When I have begun to work for Apeiron, I became fascinated by the energy that the people who works for this NGO put in their daily life in order to help these women and I decided to dedicate 3 years of my life documenting their work and give a voice to the victims of this social plague. This NGO since 2004 developed a successful program which follows the guidelines of their "Theory of Change" to prevent GBV and guide the survivors towards their reintegration in the society. During the period of rehab, the victims of violence will live together in a Safe House called "Casa Nepal" where they can benefit from psychosocial services and legal aid. The women participate to awareness programs, literacy classes and even work courses, receiving a personal treatment based on their past experience with the final goal of their reintegration in the society. These people are giving a signal to the society. Of course the path for eliminate the GBV is still long and complicated but compared to the past seems that something is improving, not only for the women condition but also in the mentality of the people that are more aware about this plague. An equal world where women and men are on the same level will guarantee a better future for humanity, and it will contribute to develop an aware society with same rights and same opportunities for everyone. As long as in the heart of a woman will shine the light of love the world will be safe.”
Share your story with the world.
Click here to introduce yourself.
