FI.r.St. - FIght gendeR STereotype

The problem of sexism and female stereotypes, especially about motherhood, has always been present in all European countries. Gender prejudices in the countries involved are strongly rooted at the social level and even spread systematically in the media, both through entertainment and information programs. Women carried a heavy burden in housework, while men's contribution was among the lowest in the world. Using communication tools through artistic images has allowed us to send a message to help break down stereotypes on a different scale and has created a strong impact on those who have viewed them. The visual arts communicate through images, information, ideas, emotions, etc., depending on what an image wants to communicate or provoke to the viewer. Each image have its own prevailing communicative function. The images have great communicative power. The project's priority focused on awareness-raising actions to address gender stereotypes, and it included the promotion of positive messages and representations of equality and equal opportunities for women and men in order to encourage behavioral change in society.

The general objective of this project was to create and strengthen a network of non-profit organizations that fight to combat gender stereotypes through the visual communication of the art of painting, visual graphics, and photography. The specific objectives of this project were three: 1. to break the female stereotypes with particular reference to motherhood and pregnancy; 2. to define communication strategies, tools, and channels to promote networking and share activities developed; 3. to exchange experiences and best practices.

In addition to project management, FIRST project implemented the following activities: • kick-off meeting; • Survey about the most common stereotypes against women and mothers in the partner countries; • Training activities: visual communication combined with non-formal education; • Shooting and painting activities to represent the stereotype - international webinar on gender stereotypes; • Study visit in Rome • Closing Meeting with final Art Exhibition.

The results of the project were: . Community involvement and other women and mothers through the international survey; • Manual of visual communication techniques combined with non-formal methodology as a means of learning; • List and visual narration of the most common stereotypes on motherhood. • Project Website; • Closing Meeting with an artistic exhibition on the work done.