In a shocking social media movement, images of undressed and bleeding women have shared with the aim of raising awareness of gender-based violence in Tunisia.
The "WARRI" campaign has been launched under the slogan “violence is more serious than nudity," in response to Facebook’s censorship of female nudity. This, after a photograph shared by the Tunisian Association for Democratic Women to raise awareness of domestic violence was removed by the social media site last month.
The organization's website styles itself as “a virtual space in order to break the silence, because violence doesn’t stop with a punch,” but rather continues in society’s censorship of women’s bodies.
“[Victims] must receive the support of all in order to regain their dignity… Don’t let censorship nourish violence,” it continues.
Photographer Karim Kamoun, who took the striking series, is known in Tunisia for his daring women’s rights activism. Here are some of his most powerful pictures:
Warning, censorship fuels violence.
The most commonly responsible for physical violence are husbands, 42.5%; fathers, 21.5% and mothers, 15.8%.
97% of women who have suffered violence do not press charges
The images have proved controversial in Tunisia, a largely socially conservative country. However, many have expressed support for the campaign, and for the end to violence against women. The WARRI Facebook page has gained nearly 11,000 likes since it was created at the beginning of December.
No to violence.
I salute the courage of the artist. This is surely not the only way to fight against violence against women, but it is one way among others. A courageous act nevertheless, certainly insufficient but full of meaning. I do not see nudity I see only misery and horror. Thank you madam for this picture.
Nearly half of Tunisian women are victims of violence, according to a 2009 study from the UNFPA, and fewer than a fifth of those seek help.
RA
