Rome's Palazzo Braschi museum to light up with 1522.Rome is marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on Tuesday by lighting up a city-run museum with Italy's anti-violence and stalking helpline 1522.The façade of Palazzo Braschi will be illuminated at 19.00, in a ceremony attended by Rome mayor Roberto Gualtieri, and the building will remain lit up until midnight.The city said the initiative is designed to promote the "courage to ask for help", stressing that "the fight against gender-based violence requires prevention, a culture of respect, and access to support tools. 1522 is one of these, and it is essential to make it known to everyone".The initiative aims to "remind women, especially young women, that asking for help is possible and that authorities are there for them" - councillor Valeria Baglio said in a statement - "This is a necessary message as femicides continue unabated. Despite harsher penalties and new measures, laws alone are not enough. A profound cultural shift is needed: educating children about respect and non-violence from a young age.” The 1522 helpline, which is completely anonymous, is designed as a first response to the needs of victims of gender-based violence and stalking. Operators answering calls can respond in Italian, English, French, Spanish, Arabic and German, and, by appointment, Albanian, Persian, Algerian, Syrian, Syrian-Lebanese, Moroccan, Egyptian, Berber and Chinese. The helpline is free of phone from all over Italy, both from landlines and mobile phones, and is active 24 hours a day all year round.

Rome is marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on Tuesday by lighting up a city-run museum with Italy's .The façade of Palazzo Braschi will be illuminated at 19.00, in a ceremony attended by Rome mayor Roberto Gualtieri, and the building will remain lit up until midnight.The city said the initiative is designed to promote the "courage to ask for help", stressing that "the fight against gender-based violence requires prevention, a culture of respect, and access to support tools. 1522 is one of these, and it is essential to make it known to everyone". The initiative aims to "remind women, especially young women, that asking for help is possible and that authorities are there for them" - councillor Valeria Baglio said - "This is a necessary message as femicides continue unabated. Despite harsher penalties and new measures, laws alone are not enough. A profound cultural shift is needed: educating children about respect and non-violence from a young age.” The 1522 helpline, which is completely anonymous, is designed as a first response to the needs of victims of gender-based violence and stalking. Operators answering calls can respond in Italian, English, French, Spanish, Arabic and German, and, by appointment, Albanian, Persian, Algerian, Syrian, Syrian-Lebanese, Moroccan, Egyptian, Berber and Chinese. The helpline is free of phone from all over Italy, both from landlines and mobile phones, and is active 24 hours a day all year round.