Bologna, a classroom and a library fund for Emma: “Symbol of the fight against gender violence”
The Alma Mater of Bologna dedicates a study room and a library fund to Emma Pezemo, killed by her ex-boyfriend in 2021
BOLOGNA – Emma Pezemo was a young woman who attended University “with passion and determination, enthusiastic about her path”. And his story, for the Alma Mater of Bologna, must become “a symbol of the fight against gender violence”. This is the spirit that accompanied today the third anniversary of the feminicide of the 31-year-old student originally from Cameroon, brutally killed by her ex-boyfriend on the night between 2 and 3 May 2021 in Bologna. In his name, the sociology department will establish a library fund on the topic of gender violence. Meanwhile, a new study room dedicated to Emma was inaugurated today. This is the second space at Palazzo Hercolani in memory of the young woman. The first, named two years ago, is a seminar room on the second floor. However, the University has also decided to give Emma’s name to a study room on the ground floor.
“YOUNG PEOPLE BE SEVERE”
“Because we want Emma’s memory to be alive in a generation of young people who must be increasingly aware, attentive, sensitive and severe towards episodes of gender violence, which must always be recognised”, explains the vice-rector, Simona Tondelli. The anniversary of Emma’s feminicide, in fact, “has become an opportunity to reflect on the topic of gender violence, for the prevention and fight against the phenomenon“. Meanwhile, the students of the Alma Mater are increasingly organizing themselves from below to counter the phenomenon.
THE SELF-ORGANIZED VETERINARY GROUP
For example, at Veterinaria, in the Ozzano campus, a group of students against gender violence was born, which started in November with an open assembly after the femicide of Giulia Cecchettin. One of the first acts of the veterinary group was to carry out an anonymous survey, to understand what knowledge and awareness there is of the phenomenon. “Very worrying statistics have emerged – the students report – many have suffered harassment of all kinds: verbal, psychological, physical and economic”. Cases of harassment have also emerged in the university context, only verbally, by teachers towards students, but also between students. “We started from this to stimulate reflection, raise awareness, work on awareness and develop solidarity”, explain the young people. Last April 16, an entire day was organized on the topic of gender violence at Veterinaria and “several proposals emerged”, including detaching the anti-violence desk also in Ozzano, organizing new workshops, assemblies and days on the topic, up to to also include the term ‘doctor’, and no longer just ‘doctor’, in graduation announcements.
A SHOW IN FORLI’
In Forlì, however, as part of a workshop at the Sassi Masini Residence, a show was created on the gender issue, which was staged on 12 April, to show “the condition of women in patriarchal society – explains Adele, tutor of the project – and to send the message that there is also a male gender who fights and gets angry together with usTelling the stories of people who suffer is the first step to raise awareness.” Yesterday a wreath of flowers was left on the red bench in the Ergo residence in Bologna where Emma lived. “She attended the sociology course with great passion and determination – recalls Paola Parmiggiani, new department director and former teacher of the 31-year-old – she was a young woman always ready to intervene and enthusiastic about her path. We want to counteract Emma’s oblivion and what happened to her, making her memory a symbol of the fight against gender violence“. Finally, on May 21st the University will also open a new anti-discrimination help desk in Ravenna.