On Network to Counter and Prevent Gender Violence: An Action-Research Project in the Livorno Area

Abstract

The article presents the initial developments of the participatory action-research project titled “Gender Education, Combating Stereotypes, and Preventing Gender-Based Violence”, promoted by the Municipality of Livorno in collaboration with the University of Florence. The project aims to guide and enhance the relational and organizational processes of the inter-institutional territorial network established with the objective to combat gender-based violence and to support women who live or have lived in “toxic” intergender relationships. Following an examination of the advantages and challenges that may arise from networking, particularly in highly complex situations where human rights are violated, the paper outlines the key points of the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Municipality of Livorno, highlighting the general objectives, actions and operational methods, agreed by the partners to act in synergy. Finally, the discussion focuses on the research outputs produced so far, aiming to draft guidelines to promote constructive relationships among network participants and to provide input for designing actions to prevent and combat gender-based violence.