Women’s pain. Scarred with acid, burned with fire, raped and murdered. Women physically devastated by another “monster” – cancer – which strikes and does not forgive like the men who kill.
It is in 21 signature shots exhibited in the Museum of the Present that gender suffering is told. The exhibition, inaugurated yesterday, is entitled “Women for Women Against Violence” and is curated by the volcanic Donatella Gimigliano, president of the “Umanitas Consortium”. In the photos exhibited, testimonials of Italian art and culture pose next to the victims. The aim of the initiative, enthusiastically embraced by the administration led by Sandro Principe, is to keep attention high, raise public awareness and help those who suffer.
The godmothers of the event
Four women acted as significant “godmothers” of the event as witnesses of stories of pain and redemption: Matilde Spadafora Lanzino, Roberta’s mother, awarded at the opening by the deputy mayor Roberto Liparoti and the councilor Veronica Stellato; Maria Antonietta Rositani, seriously burned in her ex-husband’s car in Reggio Calabria; Filomena Lamberti, scarred with sulfuric acid by her ex-spouse in Salerno; Katia Villirillo, founder of the “Libere donne” anti-violence center whose son, Giuseppe, just eighteen, was killed in 2018.
The testimonies of pain and redemption
In their words there is the sense of a battle of civilization begun more than ten years ago by Donatella Gimigliano. A battle that has become a television broadcast on Rai networks and a traveling exhibition that is touring multiple continents. A battle that has served and serves to concretely support women affected by gender violence or mutilated by cancer. In fact, those who suffer so much harm often remain alone, without material assistance: a pain that adds to the pain.
«I would have preferred to die than lose my son» says Katia Villirillo «but I am here to testify how much involvement in the activities of Women for Women has helped me and can help each of us».
Maria Antonietta Rositani, left with 85 percent of her body burned after the murder attempt made by her ex-husband, explains: «After two years spent in hospital I found myself alone and I received real help from Donatella. A help that allowed me to complete a delicate surgical operation on my eye so as not to lose it permanently. On the day of the attack I risked dying and I saved myself by putting out the flames by throwing myself into a puddle. It was very difficult and tiring to recover but, today, I am happy and I thank God for being alive and in the company of children who love me. I have forgiven my husband as a man but I ask for justice. Men who carry out such actions should not have their sentences reduced. I don’t want to know anything more about him. I taught my children not to harbor hatred, since hatred only serves to cause more harm.”
Filomena Lamberti was slashed with acid by her ex-spouse at home. «My life changed from that day: I spent five years in hospital. However, my life has also changed in a positive way: today I am a free woman and no man can impose anything on me. Sure, freedom comes at a high price but there is no price for freedom. I don’t hate him and I haven’t forgiven him. I only feel sorry for him.” Words like stones.