UniversidaddeCádiz

The journalist provided real-life examples of how violence against women is trivialised and romanticised, and stressed the importance of identifying discourses that protect and legitimise abusers

The University of Cádiz concluded its programme of activities marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on Wednesday afternoon with a lecture by journalist, researcher and communicator Ana Bernal-Triviño, who delivered the talk Journalism and gender-based violence: how to debunk misinformation at the Assembly Hall of the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters. The event, which was open to the public, brought together students, academic staff and members of the public interested in the critical analysis of media and digital discourses on violence against women. Attendance reached full capacity, making it necessary to provide additional seating so that all those present could follow the lecture.

The event was introduced by Paqui Bernal, Director General for Equality at the University of Cádiz, and Virginia Martín, Councillor for Equality at Cádiz City Council. Both underlined the importance of fostering cooperation between institutions on an issue as sensitive as violence against women and welcomed the fact that awareness-raising activities had been extended over a three-week period. The lecture was organised by the Municipal Women’s Foundation of Cádiz City Council and the Equality Unit of the University of Cádiz.

During her presentation, Bernal-Triviño—who holds a PhD, specialises in digital communication and is a national reference in the study of media coverage of gender-based violence—addressed how the current information ecosystem shapes social perceptions of this form of violence, particularly among younger audiences. She deconstructed disinformation narratives, analysed contemporary examples of manipulation and defended rigorous journalism as an essential tool for safeguarding women’s rights.

One of the key issues highlighted by Bernal-Triviño was the identification of narratives that shield abusers while casting suspicion on victims. In addition to linking their presence in the media to poor professional practice, she connected them to the weight of culture and tradition, which shape an image of women as mothers and caregivers who may be punished if they deviate from these roles. The researcher also emphasised the significant presence of men in the audience, noting that “this is an issue in which we all have to be involved”.

The lecture served as the closing event of the programme promoted by the Equality Unit as part of the institutional campaign 16 days to remember that they are 365. Fighting gender-based violence. The programme was delivered across the four UCA campuses in coordination with equality officers, university centres and collaborating organisations, including the Municipal Women’s Foundation of Cádiz City Council.

Overview of activities marking 25 November

This year’s programme combined awareness-raising initiatives, academic events, training workshops and cultural interventions. The main event took place on 25 November with the public reading of the manifesto drawn up by the Network of Gender Equality Units for University Excellence (RUIGEU) in the Argüelles Hall of the Constitución 1812 Building. The session, which was live-streamed, highlighted the scale of gender-based violence, the spread of digital forms of violence and the decline in support for feminism among young people.

Over the past few weeks, a wide range of initiatives have been held, including the workshop How to combat violence against women with disabilities, at the Faculty of Labour Sciences; a lecture by Francisca Fuentes on human rights and equality; the talk Caracolas: cinema as a tool in the fight against gender-based violence, delivered by actress and producer Raquel Romero Holgado; and the session MODO VIOLENCE OFF, aimed at secondary school students. In addition, round tables, participatory installations, public readings and specific activities have taken place across the campuses of Algeciras, Jerez, Puerto Real and Cádiz, in collaboration with organisations such as the Cádiz Press Association, San Fernando City Council and the association Páginas Violeta.

Since the outset of the programme, the University of Cádiz, through its Equality Unit, has reaffirmed its commitment to prevention, training and social awareness in the face of all forms of violence against women. This commitment forms part of the strategic priorities of its Third Equality Plan and reflects its vocation as an institution free from gender-based violence.