The Origins of Voix

Voix serves as a forum to contemplate and confront the issue of violence against women and girls, with a strong focus on sexual violence awareness. At Voix, we aim to recognize the complexities of human thought and feelings and the uneasiness in finding the words to express one’s condition and circumstances. In returning to the prominent figures in the Arts and Humanities, we investigate whether we can express our inner thoughts and emotions beyond generic or collective statements, which often make us feel as if we're merely echoing other people's voices. We also examine if it's possible to identify our genuine thoughts and feelings, especially during and after experiencing traumatic events. The concern for this project is whether we can mean what we say. In the 1960s, philosopher Stanley Cavell published an essay and a book titled Must We Mean What We Say? He grappled with the question of whether and how we can find ways to say what we mean and to mean what we say. Reversing the phrase in this manner highlights the muddle we encounter when sorting our thoughts and feelings, particularly in circumstances of distress or trauma. Various voices press us to react – voices from mass media either hector us or provide a bland running soundtrack to our lives, while social media can offer us a comfort zone or sometimes needle us, insidiously getting under our skin. Are the thoughts they give us truly our own? Can we avoid the provocation and the echo chamber?

Key Questions

What are the factors contributing to the significant increase in VGWG, and how can effective measures be taken to raise sexual violence awareness and address this issue? What are the possible explanations for the silence of victims, or their being silenced, and how can this phenomenon be comprehended in light of the Voix movement? What are the specific types of educational approaches required to tackle VGWG effectively? What contributions do philosophy, literature, and the humanities have in responding to these problems?

Voix aims to promote a range of theoretical perspectives and global voices to support reforms creatively and critically, including Goal 5 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. At Voix, we strive to enhance sexual violence awareness by providing easy access to knowledge and understanding of this critical issue. The website features a compilation of peer-reviewed articles, lectures, and podcasts that bring together the voices of victims of such acts, policymakers, practitioners, and others. The ultimate objective is to cultivate a platform for dialogue that fosters understanding and an effective response to the aggression inflicted upon women and girls.