To honor International Women’s Day, artist aleXsandro Palombo created #BriefMessage, a performance in which women express their views on violence against women by writing messages on their panties. The results are powerful and compelling.
Panties are so personal and intimate. They’re just something we usually wad up tight and stuff to the bottom of the clothes hamper.
Image: aleXsandro Palombo
Much like the way society often treats issues of domestic violence, rape and other acts of violence against women.
Image: aleXsandro Palombo
Now they’re being used as a symbol of strength, and the images are surprisingly intense and personal.
Image: aleXsandro Palombo
And the message is being heard loud and clear across the world in honor of International Women’s Day.
Image: aleXsandro Palombo
Some of the messages are about women owning their own strength and power.
Image: aleXsandro Palombo
Others reject the idea that women are defined completely by what’s between their legs.
Image: aleXsandro Palombo
Some women who participated in the project, which was originally held as a performance art event, used the opportunity to talk about how they plan to raise their sons to reject violence against women.
Image: aleXsandro Palombo
And to talk about how a woman can love a man without letting him own and control her.
Image: aleXsandro Palombo
Other women took the opportunity to be more direct.
Image: aleXsandro Palombo
Violence is an expression of weakness was a common theme.
Image: aleXsandro Palombo
It was also a good opportunity for women to show they are anything but weak.
Image: aleXsandro Palombo
And these women are ready to be heard.
Image: aleXsandro Palombo
Stand with these women in celebration of International Women’s Day, and share your own #BriefMessage on social media. It’s a powerful idea to help us all own what’s underneath those underpants and to stand up for our sisters.
More on stopping violence against women
‘Slap her’ viral video misses the mark with violence against women (VIDEO)
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iMatter: The app combating domestic violence against women
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