Control, isolation, jealousy, violence, stalking and possession of weapons. With these warnings on red flags, the Dolle Mina’s take action against femicide at Eindhoven station on Wednesday. The group holds a quiet action in the central hall between five and six in the afternoon, at the busiest moment of the day.
In the Netherlands a woman is killed on average every eight days. This often happens because of her (ex) partner. Three women Brabant recently fell victim to femicide. The dead woman who was found in Veldhoven last Friday also seems to be the victim of partner violence.
The action is intended to create consciousness about the signals that often precede femicide. And to draw attention to prevention. Ten women in black clothing, with tape over their mouths, will be on Wednesday with signs on which these ‘red flags’ are. Around them are participants with candles or lights in memory of the victims. There are three pairs of women’s shoes on the ground as a symbol for the recent murders.
Flyers
“We have adjusted the red flags a bit, so that it is more recognizable to the public,” says Odet Rosenkrantz of the Dolle Mina’s Eindhoven. Experience experts are also among the women. Action groups The Wave Eindhoven and the Dolle Mina’s from Tilburg have been invited, as well as some councilors who have already promised to come. “That means a lot to us,” says Rosenkrantz. “Femicide is often seen as a national problem, but you can also do a lot at the local level.”
During the promotion, flyers are handed out with aid numbers, including that of Veilig Thuis. The flyers also include the warning signals: control, insulation, physical or psychological violence, threats, possession of weapons, stalking, suicide threat, escalation in the event of divorce, violating contact bans and extreme jealousy.
Who are the Dolle Mina’s?
The Dolle Mina’s are back. After 55 years, the feminist action group again makes itself heard. Originally the Dolle Mina’s arose in the early 1970s as a protest movement for equal rights for women. They stood out with playful and confrontational actions, with which they put themes such as equal reward, abortion rights, childcare and self -determination on the map. They also fiercely oppose traditional male-female roles. The name is a tribute to Wilhelmina Drucker, a famous feminist who bore the nickname ‘Dolle Mina’.
Since January the movement has a revival, thanks to the “Boss in his own belly” action. The Dolle Mina’s action is currently taking action against femicide. The murder of women because they are women. They do this with protest marches, silent actions and awareness campaigns.
The action group focuses its arrows not only on awareness, but also on political change. On September 22, an initiative memorandum from MP Songül Mutlu will be discussed in the Lower House about gender -related violence. With their actions, the Dolle Mina’s hope to put pressure on more prevention and recognition of femicide in policy and legislation.
Isolated
Odet (33) is an experience expert himself. Ten years ago she was in a violent relationship. “Because my friends saw red flags, I came out,” says the Eindhoven. “I thought it would never happen to me, but it slowly sneaks in.”
She was also checked and isolated herself. “My phone and finances were monitored. I always had to let me know where I was and with whom. I never spoke my best friend again.” Her partner manipulated her with stories about his exes cheating and threatened with suicide when she made it. “When I did that, he strangled me. Then he stalked me for almost a year.”
Alienated
Her family and friends intervened. “My best friend said,” If you don’t care within a week, we’ll be at your door. ” She then asked for help from friends and family and again contacted people from whom she had been alienated for a year. “Everyone was ready for me.”
With trauma treatment and EMDR therapy, she slowly picked up. She is also present at the promotion on Wednesday. In a crazy minashirt.