The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Initiative and the Gender Centre invite you to a documentary screening of The Shadow Pandemic.

Violence against women is a global concern that needs to be tackled with strategies aimed at dismantling gender hierarchies and structural inequality. Switzerland is no exception, as domestic violence remains an urgent but often hidden social crisis. According to recent data, nearly one in three women aged 15 to 49 in Switzerland have experienced abuse from an intimate partner. The COVID-19 pandemic has only worsened this situation, with lockdowns and social isolation leading to a dramatic spike in incidents of domestic violence. Since then, violence against women has increasingly been called the “shadow pandemic”, underscoring its persistent and escalating impact alongside other global emergencies. Despite increased awareness, domestic violence is frequently underreported due to stigma, fear, and lack of access to support, especially during periods of social restriction.

The Shadow Pandemic is a powerful new documentary by Paola Ghislieri that sheds light on the widespread domestic violence affecting women in Switzerland, particularly in the Romandy region. Through expert interviews and moving testimonies from survivors, the documentary not only reveals the scale and impact of the crisis but also explores the support systems and preventive measures in place to combat this phenomenon.

We invite you to join us for a special screening of The Shadow Pandemic, followed by a panel discussion with experts in the field of domestic violence. This event is an opportunity to learn, reflect, and stand in solidarity with survivors.

Your participation can help break the silence, support those affected, and contribute to building a safer, more just community for all.

Watch the trailer here. 
 

Speakers

• Neus Torbisco Casals, Adjunct Professor, International Law Department, Geneva Graduate Institute
• Nadia Boehlen, Co-lead, Communication & Politics, and Spokesperson, Amnesty International Switzerland
• Inés Leon, Master’s student, Geneva Graduate Institute

Provisional programME :

18:15-18:20 Alessia opens the event, introduces the speakers, and gives the floor to Paola 

18:20-18:30 Introductory remarks by Paola 

18:30-19:20 Movie screening 

19:20-19:45 Alessia invites panelists on stage to start the panel discussion 

19:45-20:00 Q&A