Barça joins International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women happens every November 25, a symbolic date that recalls the hell that so many women around the world suffer every day at the hands of men. FC Barcelona, ​​sensitive to the most devastating social problems of our days, wanted to speak out in support of the cause by publishing an awareness video, promoted by the Club's Diversity and Inclusion Department, using the best possible voices: its athletes.

In this piece there is a large representation of Barça Femenino, made up of the captain Marta Torrejón, Laura Ràfols, Melanie Serrano, Gemma Font, Cata Coll, Lieke Martens, Claudia Pina, as well as the coach, Jonatan Giráldez. They are accompanied by a large representation of professionals and people linked to the Club, starting with Pedri, a first-team player, who makes the cause his own on behalf of the entity's greatest speaker; Gloria Comas, pioneer of Barça Femenino and player of the team from 1970 to 1972; Alessandra, player of the recently created Barça Genuine Foundation, a team made up of people with intellectual functional diversity; Lucía Corrales, resident of La Masía and Farkhunda Muhtaj, captain of the Afghan women's soccer team and international activist in favor of women's rights.

The video begins with the women's team players addressing the camera with a firm message. Torrejón, Ràfols and Melanie say: “Yes, we are women. Yes, we are people. Yes, we are free and equal.” The video goes on to focus on violence, on any type of violence against women while coach Jonatan Giráldez introduces a male voice when he says "You are not alone", Claudia Pina issues a cry of hope by answering: "We are counting on you", and gets Pedri's support in the form of an emphatic "We are with you." Finally, pioneer Gloria Comas and the Afghan Farkhunda Muhtaj boost women's empowerment by proclaiming: “We are millions and we are together”.

A gesture for help

The piece ends with the protagonists of the video making the gesture of help for victims of gender violence that was recently created by the Canadian Women's Foudation, and which consists of bending the thumb on the palm and then staining the hand. The video, produced by Barça Studios, goes out this Thursday on the club's social networks, on Barça TV, on the website, and on other media with the aim of reaching the maximum number of members and fanspartners and followers.

November 25 was declared the International Day against Gender Violence at the first Feminist Meeting of Latin America and the Caribbean held in Bogota (Colombia) in 1981. In 1999, the United Nations recognised it officially. This November 25, the Catalan Institute for Women is inviting everyone in the country to hold a minute of silence at noon wherever the pandemic allows, in memory of the women who have suffered and continue to suffer this injustice