Caracas, November 22 (teleSUR-RHC)-- “Words Kill: If you love, then you don’t abuse,” is the name of the campaign against gender violence launched this week in Caracas by the Venezuelan Ministry for Women and Gender Equality, placing special emphasis on combating verbal and psychological violence against women.

The campaign will last until December 7th and will pay particular attention to what Minister for Women and Gender Equality Andreina Tarazon describes as the “day-to-day” acts of sexism, such as catcalling or sexist language, that can lead to emotional and psychological damage among women.

The minister emphasized that gender violence has many different forms and explained that the campaign is orientated toward eliminating all of the 19 definitions of violence against women included in the country’s law to protect women. These include emotional, psychological and symbolic violence in the media.

The campaign will also include educational and cultural activities in public spaces, as well as a film festival. Productions such as Iciar Bollain’s “I Give You My Eyes” and “The Color Purple” based on the book of the same name will be screened for free throughout the country as part of the festival.

“We are hoping that women will identify with the films, and that when they see themselves reflected in the films and think, ‘Gosh, that’s me up there,’ then they will be motivated to seek help from state institutions,” explained Olga Mendoza, member of the Women´s Bicentennial Front, which is supporting the campaign.

The “Women's Presidential Council” will also be officially created on November 25th. The council will be a space for the implementation of “direct democracy,” where women’s social movement leaders will draft up gender policy alongside Venezuela’s president. The date coincides with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.