Joan of Arc heard voices that she interpreted as the word of God, led several successful battles, wore armor as a woman in the 15th century and was exploited by the powerful men of her time for their political purposes. When Jeanne’s success threatened to fade, they got rid of her, handed her over to the Inquisition and had her tried and burned at the stake without any support.
Worldwide, one in three women are subjected to psychological, physical and/or sexual violence. Violence against women is therefore one of the most widespread human rights violations. In Austria, an average of three women are murdered by a man in their immediate social environment every month. In 2023, this led to a shocking high of 42 femicides. These figures show that violence against women does not exist in far away times or cultures, but here and now in our midst. We should all try to do something about it in our everyday lives. We need to look closely, listen and work together to ensure that violence against women no longer has a place in society.
For years, the United Nations has been working to address and combat violence against women for the long term. UN Women Austria, together with Soroptimist International, has therefore set itself the goal of drawing attention to these circumstances and fighting against them with the Orange The World campaign. Between November 25 (International Day against Violence against Women and Girls) and December 10 (International Human Rights Day), buildings around the world will be illuminated in orange, orange clothing will be worn and websites and logos will be changed to orange to send a strong signal to fight violence against women. Orange the World’s 16 days against gender-based violence symbolize that every day should be a day we fight violence against women and girls. The campaign is supported by politicians, public organizations and private companies. Many museums, for example, display a selected exhibit to show their support for Orange the World.
The Schell Collection has selected a cast-iron statuette of Joan of Arc as an exhibit for the Orange the World campaign, which is currently on display in the special exhibition “Best of Depot”. The Maid of Orleans, commonly known as Joan of Arc, is a famous example of a woman who fell victim to gender-based violence. Born in Domrémy in France in 1412, she experienced the Hundred Years’ War between England and France (1339-1453) first hand. She felt called by God to lead France out of the war against England and help Charles VII to the throne of France. Of course, it was highly controversial to have a young woman in armor leading the soldiers of a kingdom. Commanding military troops and political influence did not fit in with the roles traditionally assigned to women. After military successes and the coronation of Charles VII, Joan lost her strategic usefulness for France. She was therefore given over to hostile England and handed over to the Inquisition. She was subsequently accused of heresy and sorcery, and the criminal offense of wearing men’s clothing was also part of her downfall. After numerous grueling trials, in which deliberate attempts were made to use her testimony against her, Joan of Arc was burned alive at the stake on May 30, 1431.
Joan of Arc heard voices that she interpreted as the word of God, led several successful battles, wore armor as a woman in the 15th century and was exploited by the powerful men of her time for their political purposes. When Jeanne’s success threatened to fade, they got rid of her, handed her over to the Inquisition and had her tried and burned at the stake without any support.
Worldwide, one in three women are subjected to psychological, physical and/or sexual violence. Violence against women is therefore one of the most widespread human rights violations. In Austria, an average of three women are murdered by a man in their immediate social environment every month. In 2023, this led to a shocking high of 42 femicides. These figures show that violence against women does not exist in far away times or cultures, but here and now in our midst. We should all try to do something about it in our everyday lives. We need to look closely, listen and work together to ensure that violence against women no longer has a place in society.
For years, the United Nations has been working to address and combat violence against women for the long term. UN Women Austria, together with Soroptimist International, has therefore set itself the goal of drawing attention to these circumstances and fighting against them with the Orange The World campaign. Between November 25 (International Day against Violence against Women and Girls) and December 10 (International Human Rights Day), buildings around the world will be illuminated in orange, orange clothing will be worn and websites and logos will be changed to orange to send a strong signal to fight violence against women. Orange the World’s 16 days against gender-based violence symbolize that every day should be a day we fight violence against women and girls. The campaign is supported by politicians, public organizations and private companies. Many museums, for example, display a selected exhibit to show their support for Orange the World.
The Schell Collection has selected a cast-iron statuette of Joan of Arc as an exhibit for the Orange the World campaign, which is currently on display in the special exhibition “Best of Depot”. The Maid of Orleans, commonly known as Joan of Arc, is a famous example of a woman who fell victim to gender-based violence. Born in Domrémy in France in 1412, she experienced the Hundred Years’ War between England and France (1339-1453) first hand. She felt called by God to lead France out of the war against England and help Charles VII to the throne of France. Of course, it was highly controversial to have a young woman in armor leading the soldiers of a kingdom. Commanding military troops and political influence did not fit in with the roles traditionally assigned to women. After military successes and the coronation of Charles VII, Joan lost her strategic usefulness for France. She was therefore given over to hostile England and handed over to the Inquisition. She was subsequently accused of heresy and sorcery, and the criminal offense of wearing men’s clothing was also part of her downfall. After numerous grueling trials, in which deliberate attempts were made to use her testimony against her, Joan of Arc was burned alive at the stake on May 30, 1431.