Rome supports International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

Rome's Piazza del Popolo will be illuminated in red lights on 25 November, with key words opposing violence against women projected on the walls surrounding the piazza, in support of the UN-backed International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

Titled Roma Dice No (Rome says no), the initiative begins at 17.00 and involves four street artists – Diavù, Camilla Falsini, Rita Petruccioli and Mr. Thoms – creating a live urban art performance inspired by their opposition to violence against women.

In the evening there will be a series of 15 similarly-inspired theatre pieces performed in everyday locations around the capital, such as metro stations and shopping centres, as well as numerous events programmed in the city's libraries throughout the day.

The Rome Dice No campaign comes two days after police arrested a Romanian man for raping a Peruvian woman at a bed and breakfast on Via Giolitti near Termini Station. The naked victim escaped out the window to cry for help but slipped off the ledge. Her fall was broken after her leg got stuck behind an air conditioning unit on the fourth floor, where she hung before being rescued by firemen. Her attacker was arrested by police as he attempted to flee the scene.

In late October an international men's march against rape, sexual assault and domestic violence took place in the Caracalla district of Rome while in February a One Billion Rising flash mob to end violence against women was staged at the Spanish Steps.

For more information about the Roma Dice No campaign see the city website.