Emergency kit for women fleeing violence

Piverone. Personal hygiene products, nappies, baby food, refills Collected in the town hall, in the pharmacy and at the Ideas workshop until Christmas Eve

PIVERONE

Last November 25 was the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women: many meetings, in-depth studies and actions were also put in place in the Canavese area. Spotlights remain on in Piverone, “because – says the municipality’s slogan – one day is not enough”. And so, in collaboration with the Underground association of Biella, the municipal administration starts a collection of basic necessities that will continue until Christmas Eve. “It often happens that when a woman finds the courage to denounce her husband or abusive partner – explains the councilor with responsibility for youth policies and health Sara Regis who acts as coordinator – she has to leave the place where she lived, to stay in a community protected. The children also follow it if they are minors. A tear that is consumed in a very short time and that sees the woman flee without having the opportunity to pack. There is therefore a need for personal hygiene products, diapers and baby food products, linen, telephone top-ups. Small things, however, capable of making the closeness of our country felt ». Items to be included in the emergency kit provided to women victims of violence when they leave the marital home and are welcomed in protected contexts, where they can start living again. Without running the risk, as too often happens, of being found by former companions, and with the hope of being able to rebuild a life. The collection points in Piverone were located in three different places: in the town hall, in the Baroli pharmacy and in the headquarters of the Officina delle Idee, recently inaugurated in via De peso, near the doctor’s office. The collection will continue until 24 December, while the next three Saturdays in December from 10 to 12 it is also possible to deliver to the Officina delle Idee. All the collected material will then be taken to the protected house in Biella. “And it will also serve to raise awareness among citizens on the very serious reality of violence against women – adds Regis – from which our territory is not immune. Even if we have never had to deal with cases of femicide ». The Underground association is part of the anti-violence network and the mental health table “The community that heals” which brings together all the essential interlocutors of the Biellese scene: those with institutional or trade union responsibilities (Asl, Municipalities, Province, CGIL, Cisl, Uil) , those involved as interlocutors such as social cooperatives and other local associations. In the Biella shelter, women find welcome, protection, listening and enhancement of their skills with the launch of autonomy courses. In addition, meetings are organized in schools to raise the awareness of the new generations. –