About WOMEN IN THE DARK
Countries: Switzerland
United Nations Geneva | International Red Cross | International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum Geneva | US Mission Geneva
Tatiana Valovaya | Director General | UN Geneva
“The United Nations is fully committed to fight this scourge, particularly through the UN Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict, or “UN Action”, a network of 21 UN entities bringing together the collective experience and institutional capacity of the whole UN system.
As Secretary-General Guterres said, “Let’s resolve to uphold the rights and meet the needs of all survivors, as we work to prevent and end these horrific crimes”. Together with the International Committee of the Red Cross, UN Geneva is proud to commemorate the campaign on the international day for the elimination of sexual violence in conflict with the installation of Franziska Greber’s UPROOTED and APART exhibition in the Palais des Nations to help bring crimes of sexual violence in conflict out of the shadows.”
DISARMING SILENCE
Palais des Nations | UN Geneva | Switzerland | 2025
Solo Exhibition
in collaboration with Dr Renata Hessmann Dalaqua, Head of the Integrated Approaches – Gender and Disarmament Programme at the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR); Hana Salama, Researcher, and Aleksandra Lankamer, Graduate Professional.
An exhibition against sexual and gender-based violence
From left — at the Opening: Franziska Greber; Tatiana Valovaya, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva; Deike Potzel, Ambassador and Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the UN Geneva; Dr Robin Geiss, Director UNIDIR
From left — Collaboration Partners: Hana Salama (UNIDIR); Franziska Greber; Aleksandra Lankamer and Renata Hessmann Dalaqua (UNIDIR)
Closing Remarks by Hana Salama
Video | 05:14 min
Closing Remarks by Franziska Greber
Video | 06:40 min
WOMEN WRITING – Photos of women during the writing process
Video | 07:52 min
RECEPTION: Art and advocacy against gender-based violence
Connecting to the immersive Art Installation DISARMING SILENCE, the event will be an opportunity to discuss how art, advocacy and research are levers of action against gender-based violence.
Dr Denis Mukwege, Founder and Chair of the Global Survivors Fund, Nobel Peace Prize 2018 Laureate
Iryna Dovgan, Head of SEMA Ukraine
From left: Hana Salama; Iryna Dovgan, Head of SEMA Ukraine; Franziska Greber; Esther Dingemans, Executive Director of the Global Survivors Fund; Dr Denis Mukwege, Founder and Chair of the Global Survivors Fund, Nobel Peace Prize 2018 Laureate; Erica Schouten, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the UN.
From left: Erica Schouten, Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Netherlands Mission to the UN, Geneva; Vera Duin, Senior Communications Advisor to the Netherlands Mission to the UN in Geneva
Delegates‘ Lounge, UN Geneva
RESONANCE FROM COLLABORATION PARTNERS
Hana Salama | Researcher | Integrated Approaches – Gender and Disarmament Programme | United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) | UN Geneva
Aleksandra Lankamer | Graduate Professional | United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) | UN Geneva
Dr Robin Geiss | Director | United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) | UN Geneva
RESONANCE FROM VISITORS
Support
Permanent Missions of Canada, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Malta, Mexico, the Netherlands, and Norway to the UN Office in Geneva, and UN Women
Sponsor
Rotary Zürich-Bellevue
Stadt Wädenswil
RentaBus.ch
KEIN PLATZ FÜR GEWALT
Town Hall Square | Uster | Switzerland | 2024
Solo Exhibition
’16 Tage gegen Gewalt an Frauen‘ in collaboration with Anja Buis | co-head | department social affairs Uster & Fabienne Schürmann | legal department social services Uster
KEIN PLATZ FÜR GEWALT | NO PLACE FOR VIOLENCE
VERNISSAGE
Anja Buis | Dr. Petra Bättig | Franziska Greber | Fabienne Schürmann | Vlora Kadriu
Dr. Petra Bätting | City councilor Uster, head of the social affairs department and president of the social authority
«[…] Violence against women is an issue that affects us all […] This is precisely what the artwork […] is here to remind us of […]. What makes this art project particularly remarkable is that it represents a collaboration between art and politics. As with all transdisciplinary or interdisciplinary efforts, such collaborations demand immense commitment and work from both sides […]. The powerful sculpture will serve as a poignant reminder in the coming days of the critical importance of this issue to all of us […]. I think it is wonderful that we can gather here today, that this memorial will stand on the Town Hall Square for the next few days, and that it continues to remind us that violence against women is unacceptable […].» (Excerpt)
Anja Buis | Co-Head | Departement Social Affairs Uster | Collaboration Partner
«[…] This isn’t an artist simply looking to showcase her incredible talent but someone deeply committed to making a powerful statement about the issue of violence against women. […] The next steps weren’t always clear. […] We explored many ideas before she (Franziska) devised the concept […] using the chairs. Then the collecting began. […] Until about 8 a.m. this morning, I thought they would be placed inside the fence and viewed from the outside. But no, that wasn’t the plan. […] And now it (the installation) stands here, illuminated from within, boldly declaring: we want to highlight the issue of violence against women […]. I am deeply grateful that this has come together so successfully […].» (Excerpt)
Fabienne Schürmann | Legal Department Social Services Uster | Collaboration Partner
«[…] It was truly a wonderful experience, especially for someone like me, who usually works with data and sits behind a desk, to have the opportunity to work with you. Your creativity and, above all, your passion for bringing this challenging topic to the public were incredibly inspiring. I had the privilege of witnessing how you inspired the school class that came this morning in the drizzle with your enthusiasm, just as you inspired Anja and me as well […].» (Excerpt)
SETTING UP
Thank you to BWS Berufswahlschule and the people of Uster!
KEIN PLATZ FÜR GEWALT
Video | 01:08
TEXTS about KEIN PLATZ FÜR GEWALT
Students of Berufswahlschule (BWS) Uster | reflecting on their setup experience and addressing violence against women
Thank you to the Volunteers!
DISMANTLING
SUPPORT
Stadt Uster
Esti Schriber | Multi Sign GmbH | Wädenswil
OPENING SPEECHES
Dr. Petra Bätting | city councilor Uster, head of the social affairs department and president of the social authority
Anja Buis | co-head | department social affairs Uster | collaboration Partner
Fabienne Schürmann | legal department social services Uster | collaboration Partner
ASSISTANCE WITH SET UP
Marija Zivojinovic | class teacher Handwerk, Gestaltung und Design (HGD) & her students | Berufswahlschule Uster (BWS)
TEXTS by the students of Berufswahlschule (BWS) Uster reflecting on their setup experience and addressing violence against women
PUNKT
Anna Göldi Museum | Ennenda | Switzerland | 2019
Solo Exhibition
SchweigenPunkt. Schweigen. Schweigen. Verschwiegenheit. Punkt. Punkt.
SILENCE. SilenceDot. Silence. Silenced. Secrecy. Dot. Dot.
UNTOLD STORIES
SILENCE
Book
60 Texts from 8 Countries, written by women on their shirts
Photos of the Writing Process
Visible only with a flashlight.
WHAT DO I FEAR OF LOOSING? | 2018
Video | 03:00
Woman from China speaks out
VOICES
Videos of women from India, China, Zimbabwe and Switzerland, to be seen on pillows, mattresses, duvets & sheets
VOICES
Videos of women from India, China, Zimbabwe and Switzerland, to be seen on pillows, mattresses, duvets & sheets
Peter Maurer | President of the International Committee of the Red Cross ICRC
(Photo: Sasi Subramaniam)
OPENING SPEECHES
Fridolin Elmer | Director | Anna Göldi Museum | Ennenda | Switzerland
Susanne Wintsch | Art Historian | Zurich | Switzerland
VOICES
Anna Göldi Museum | Ennenda | Switzerland | 2019
Solo Exhibition
SchweigenPunkt. Schweigen. Schweigen. Verschwiegenheit. Punkt. Punkt.
SilenceDot. Silence. Secrecy. Dot. Dot.
An Exhibition about SILENCE
VOICES | 2019
5 videos of women from India, China, Zimbabwe and Switzerland, to be seen on pillows, mattresses, duvets & sheets
Peter Maurer | President of the International Committee of the Red Cross ICRC
(Photo: Sasi Subramaniam)
UNTOLD STORIES | 2019
SILENCE | 2019
Book | 2019
60 Texts from 8 Countries, written by women on their shirts
Photos in the dark | 2019
Writing process | flash lights
WHAT DO I FEAR OF LOOSING? | 2018
Chinese woman speaks out
Video | 3:00 min
OPENING SPEECHES
Fridolin Elmer | Director | Anna Göldi Museum | Ennenda | Switzerland
Susanne Wintsch | Art Historian | Zurich | Switzerland
UPROOTED
Palais des Nations | Geneva | 2022
Solo Exhibition
against sexual violence in conflict in collaboration with the United Nations Office at Geneva & the International Committee of the Red Cross ICRC
UPROOTED
Palais des Nations | Geneva
UPROOTED
dead tree – upside down
UPROOTED
Place du Rhone | Geneva
UPROOTED
dead tree – upside down
UNIDIR Addressing Weapons in Conflict-related Sexual Violence
The Arms Control and Disarmament Toolbox | Hana Salama | June 16 | 2023
(Honored to provide the cover with the UPROOTED installation at the Palais des Nations)
UNIDIR_Addressing_Weapons_in_Conflict_related_Sexual_Violence.pdf
APART
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum | Geneva
APART
Ambassador Bathsheba Nell Crocker, US Mission to the UN and other International Organizations in Geneva and Peter Maurer, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
Peter Maurer
STATEMENTS FROM VISITORS; RÉFLEXIONS DES VISITEURS
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum | Geneva | 12:00 min
(in English & en Français)
GEDANKEN ZUR ZUSAMMENARBEIT
Theiler Metallbau AG Wädenswil
(auf Schweizerdeutsch)
UPROOTED – WORK IN PROGRESS
Video l 10:44 min
Place du Rhone | City Center
Palais des Nations | UN Geneva | Ariana Park
APART – WORK IN PROGRESS
RESONANCE FROM COLLABORATION PARTNERS
Palais des Nations | Geneva
Alessandra Vellucci | Collaboration Partner | Director United Information Service | Palais des Nations | Geneva | Switzerland
Video | 01:21 min
Francesco Pisano | Director United Nations Library | Head of the Cultural Activities Committee | Palais des Nations | Geneva | Switzerland
Video | 01:35 min
May Maloney | Collaboration Partner | Deputy Head Adressing Sexual Violence | International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) | Geneva | Switzerland
Video | 04:52 min
Diane Boulay | Humanitarian Affairs – Program Specialist | U.S. Mission to the UN and Other Organizations | Geneva | Switzerland Video
Video | 06:05 min
RESONANCE FROM VISITORS
Palais des Nations | Geneva
Video | 45:00 min
(In English, French, German and Spanish)
Place du Rhone | Geneva
Video | 09:31 min
(in English)
Place du Rhone | Geneva
Video | 21:30 min
(en Français)
GEDANKEN ZUR ZUSAMMENARBEIT
Korporation Horw
(auf Schweizerdeutsch)
ZPF Ingenieure Basel
(auf Deutsch)
Kellersberger Bauunternehmung Wädenswil
(auf Schweizerdeutsch)
PANEL ON SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN CONFLICT
Livestream: NOT an inevitable consequence of war
Cordula Droege | Moderator
Chief Legal Officer and Head of Law, International Committee of the Red Cross
Survivor of conflict related sexual violence and member of the SEMA Network (Global Network of Victims and Survivors to End Wartime Sexual Violence) | Panelist
Monica Ferro | Panelist
UNFPA, Director Geneva office
Michel Anglade | Panelist
Save the Children (Director and UN Representative, Geneva Advocacy Office)
STATEMENTS
Peter Maurer | President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
Excerpt from the speech
Pascal Hufschmid | Executive Director of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum
Excerpt from the speech
Franziska Greber | Artist
Excerpt the speech
Ambassador Bathsheba Nell Crocker | US Mission to the UN and other International Organizations in Geneva
Excerpt from the speech
SUPPORT
US Mission to the UN and Other International Organizations in Geneva
Fachstelle Kultur des Kantons Zürich
Peter Maurer | President of the ICRC: Letter of Recommendation
Details about the ICRC campaign on the international day for the elimination of sexual violence in conflict | International Committee of the Red Cross
APART
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum (MICR) | Geneva | 2022
Solo Exhibition
against sexual violence in conflict in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
APART
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum (MICR)
Ambassador Bathsheba Nell Crocker, US Mission to the UN and other International Organizations in Geneva and Peter Maurer, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
Peter Maurer
The Humanitarian Adventure: A Museum, a Hug, and a call for Action
UPROOTED
Palais des Nations | Geneva
UPROOTED
dead tree | upside down
UPROOTED
Place du Rhone | Geneva
UPROOTED
dead tree | upside down
UNIDIR Adressing Weapons in Conflict-related Sexual Violence
The Arms Control and Disarmament Toolbox | Hana Salama | June 16 | 2023
(Honored to provide the cover with the UPROOTED installation at the Palais des Nations)
UNIDIR_Addressing_Weapons_in_Conflict_related_Sexual_Violence.pdf
STATEMENTS FROM VISITORS; RÉFLEXIONS DES VISITEURS
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum | Geneva | 12:00min
(in English & en Français)
GEDANKEN ZUR ZUSAMMENARBEIT
Theiler Metallbau AG Wädenswil
(auf Schweizerdeutsch)
STATEMENTS
Peter Maurer | President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
Excerpt from the speech
Pascal Hufschmid | Executive Director of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum
Excerpt from the speech
Franziska Greber | Artist
Excerpt from the speech
Ambassador Bathsheba Nell Crocker | US Mission to the UN and other International Organizations in Geneva
Excerpt from the speech
PANEL ON SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN CONFLICT
Livestream: NOT an inevitable consequence of war
Cordula Droege | Moderator
Chief Legal Officer and Head of Law, International Committee of the Red Cross
Survivor of conflict related sexual violence and member of the SEMA Network (Global Network of Victims and Survivors to End Wartime Sexual Violence) | Panelist
Monica Ferro | Panelist
UNFPA, Director Geneva office
Michel Anglade | Panelist
Save the Children (Director and UN Representative, Geneva Advocacy Office)
UPROOTED – WORK IN PROGRESS
Place du Rhone
Palais des Nations
APART – WORK IN PROGRESS
STATEMENTS FROM VISITORS; RÉFLEXIONS DES VISITEURS | GEDANKEN ZUR ZUSAMMENARBEIT
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum | Geneva | 12:00 min
(in English & en Français)
RESONANCE FROM COLLABORATION PARTNERS
Palais des Nations | Geneva
Alessandra Vellucci | Collaboration Partner | Director United Information Service | Palais des Nations | Geneva | Switzerland
Video | 01:21 min
Francesco Pisano | Director United Nations Library | Head of the Cultural Activities Committee | Palais des Nations | Geneva | Switzerland
Video | 01:35 min
May Maloney | Collaboration Partner | Deputy Head Adressing Sexual Violence | International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) | Geneva | Switzerland
Video | 04:52 min
Diane Boulay | Humanitarian Affairs – Program Specialist | U.S. Mission to the UN and Other Organizations | Geneva | Switzerland Video
Video | 06:05 min
RESONANCE FROM VISITORS
Palais des Nations | Geneva
Video | 45:00 min
(In English, French, German and Spanish)
Place du Rhone | Geneva
Video | 09:31 min
(in English)
Place du Rhone | Geneva
Video | 21:30 min
(en Français)
GEDANKEN ZUR ZUSAMMENARBEIT
Korporation Horw
(auf Schweizerdeutsch)
ZPF Ingenieure Basel
(auf Deutsch)
Kellersberger Bauunternehmung Wädenswil
(auf Schweizerdeutsch)
PANEL ON SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN CONFLICT
Livestream: NOT an inevitable consequence of war
Cordula Droege | Moderator
Chief Legal Officer and Head of Law, International Committee of the Red Cross
Survivor of conflict related sexual violence and member of the SEMA Network (Global Network of Victims and Survivors to End Wartime Sexual Violence) | Panelist
Monica Ferro | Panelist
UNFPA, Director Geneva office
Michel Anglade | Panelist
Save the Children (Director and UN Representative, Geneva Advocacy Office)
STATEMENTS
Peter Maurer | President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
Excerpt from the speech
Pascal Hufschmid | Executive Director of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum
Excerpt from the speech
Franziska Greber | Artist
Excerpt the speech
Ambassador Bathsheba Nell Crocker | US Mission to the UN and other International Organizations in Geneva
Excerpt from the speech
SUPPORT
US Mission to the UN and Other International Organizations in Geneva
Fachstelle Kultur des Kantons Zürich
Peter Maurer | President of the ICRC: Letter of Recommendation
Details about the ICRC campaign on the international day for the elimination of sexual violence in conflict | International Committee of the Red Cross
UPROOTED
Place du Rhone | Geneva | 2022
Solo Exhibition
against sexual violence in conflict in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross ICRC & the United Nations Office at Geneva
UPROOTED
Place du Rhone
dead tree – upside down
UPROOTED
Palais des Nations | Geneva
dead tree – upside down
UNIDIR Adressing Weapons in Conflict-related Sexual Violence
The Arms Control and Disarmament Toolbox | Hana Salama | June 16 | 2023
(Honored to provide the cover with the UPROOTED installation at the Palais des Nations)
UNIDIR_Addressing_Weapons_in_Conflict_related_Sexual_Violence.pdf
APART
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum | Geneva
Ambassador Bathsheba Nell Crocker, US Mission to the UN and other International Organizations in Geneva
Peter Maurer, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
Peter Maurer
STATEMENTS FROM VISITORS; RÉFLEXIONS DES VISITEURS
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum | Geneva | 12:00 min
(in English & en Français)
GEDANKEN ZUR ZUSAMMENARBEIT
Theiler Metallbau AG Wädenswil
(auf Schweizerdeutsch)
STATEMENTS
Peter Maurer | President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
Excerpt from the speech
Pascal Hufschmid | Executive Director of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum
Excerpt from the speech
Franziska Greber | Artist
Excerpt from the speech
Ambassador Bathsheba Nell Crocker | US Mission to the UN and other International Organizations in Geneva
Excerpt from the speech
PANEL ON SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN CONFLICT
Livestream: NOT an inevitable consequence of war
Cordula Droege | Moderator
Chief Legal Officer and Head of Law, International Committee of the Red Cross
Survivor of conflict related sexual violence and member of the SEMA Network (Global Network of Victims and Survivors to End Wartime Sexual Violence) | Panelist
Monica Ferro | Panelist
UNFPA, Director Geneva office
Michel Anglade | Panelist
Save the Children (Director and UN Representative, Geneva Advocacy Office)
UPROOTED – WORK IN PROGRESS
Video | 10:44 min
Place du Rhone | City Center
Palais des Nations | UN Geneva | Ariana Park
APART – WORK IN PROGRESS
RESONANCE FROM COLLABORATION PARTNERS
Palais des Nations | Geneva
Alessandra Vellucci | Collaboration Partner | Director United Information Service | Palais des Nations | Geneva | Switzerland
Video | 01:21 min
Francesco Pisano | Director United Nations Library | Head of the Cultural Activities Committee | Palais des Nations | Geneva | Switzerland
Video | 01:35 min
May Maloney | Collaboration Partner | Deputy Head Adressing Sexual Violence | International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) | Geneva | Switzerland
Video | 04:52 min
Diane Boulay | Humanitarian Affairs – Program Specialist | U.S. Mission to the UN and Other Organizations | Geneva | Switzerland Video
Video | 06:05 min
RESONANCE FROM VISITORS
Palais des Nations | Geneva
Video | 45:00 min
(In English, French, German and Spanish)
Place du Rhone | Geneva
Video | 09:31 min
(in English)
Place du Rhone | Geneva
Video | 21:30 min
(en Français)
GEDANKEN ZUR ZUSAMMENARBEIT
Korporation Horw
(auf Schweizerdeutsch)
ZPF Ingenieure Basel
(auf Deutsch)
Kellersberger Bauunternehmung Wädenswil
(auf Schweizerdeutsch)
PANEL ON SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN CONFLICT
Livestream: NOT an inevitable consequence of war
Cordula Droege | Moderator
Chief Legal Officer and Head of Law, International Committee of the Red Cross
Survivor of conflict related sexual violence and member of the SEMA Network (Global Network of Victims and Survivors to End Wartime Sexual Violence) | Panelist
Monica Ferro | Panelist
UNFPA, Director Geneva office
Michel Anglade | Panelist
Save the Children (Director and UN Representative, Geneva Advocacy Office)
STATEMENTS
Peter Maurer | President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
Excerpt from the speech
Pascal Hufschmid | Executive Director of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum
Excerpt from the speech
Franziska Greber | Artist
Excerpt the speech
Ambassador Bathsheba Nell Crocker | US Mission to the UN and other International Organizations in Geneva
Excerpt from the speech
SUPPORT
US Mission to the UN and Other International Organizations in Geneva
Fachstelle Kultur des Kantons Zürich
Peter Maurer | President of the ICRC: Letter of Recommendation
Details about the ICRC campaign on the international day for the elimination of sexual violence in conflict | International Committee of the Red Cross