Violence shatters a woman’s identity and makes her lose sight of herself and of her unique resources

Being able to spot the toxic relationships and power dynamics underlying the phenomenon of gender-based violence represents the first, necessary step to break the cycle of violence, rebuild self-esteem and create a personal life plan for the future.

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Why the Mariposa project?

With the Mariposa project, we want to provide new tools that can help women affected by gender-based violence to identify the unhealthy dynamics in which they are involved and overcome them through the development of a personal life plan and orientation towards relevant professional support.

At the same time, we intend to guide peers and supporters in encouraging the empowerment of women women affected by gender-based violence and developing support networks and campaigns for the prevention and fight against gender-based violence.

What is gender-based violence?

Gender-based violence refers to any type of harm that is perpetrated against a person or group of people because of their factual or perceived sex, gender, sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Gender-based violence is based on an imbalance of power. It is carried out with the intention to humiliate and make a person or group of people feel inferior and/ or subordinate. It can be sexual, physical, verbal, psychological (emotional), or socio-economic, among others.

For further details on types of GBV see:

Who is the Mariposa project for?

Women affected by gender-based violence

Professionals in shelters and other support services

Anyone interested in supporting women affected by gender-based violence and in campaigning against gender-based violence

What are our goals?

Through the MARIPOSA project, we will:

Support women affected by gender-based violence

to break away from the cycle of violence, rebuild self-esteem and create a life plan for a future free from violence

Guide peers and supporters

in encouraging the empowerment of women and developing support networks and campaigns for the prevention and fight against gender-based violence.

How will we reach our goals?

We will organize:

Symbolwork activities for personalized problem screening and empowerment

with women affected by gender-based violence and with professionals of relevant support services.

Activities with peers

on how to support women, build networks and develop campaigns to raise awareness on gender-based violence

Final events

to present the MARIPOSA experience, create connections among stakeholders and develop new actions to keep supporting women affected by gender-based violence