The photos contained on this page were taken by students of the University for Foreigners of Perugia on the occasion of the #EndGenderStereotypes photography contest, with the aim of creating images meant to dismantle and deconstruct gender stereotypes.
Cultural and gender stereotypes represent a crucial issue, on which our University is working and will continue to focus, considering them one of the invisible barriers that must be broken to try to achieve true gender equality.
Our students participated in the contest with great passion and produced many images, 13 of which are shown below and are beautiful.
Gender equality is not just a matter of women fighting for their rights, but of all of us who wish to live in a fairer and more equitable world.
How can anyone disagree with Emma Watson?
Achieving equality is possible, but it is essential that it becomes a common goal for all human beings.
Author:
Federica Geremia
Ask yourself this question:
Does the fact that these legs belong to a woman bother you?
If you felt bothered, you might be a victim of the patriarchal system we were born into.
The world of aesthetics is strongly permeated by gender stereotypes; in recent years we have seen some of these stereotypes being broken down, but there's still a lot of work to be done.
Author:
Isabella Zoa
This photo aims to represent one of the most talked-about topics in today’s society: men are not supposed to wear makeup in order not to tarnish their masculinity and ruin the image of the alpha male.
Author:
Camilla D'Alterio
Broaden your perspective, break free from stereotypes.
For years, the idea has been perpetuated that there are men's jobs and women's jobs, to the point that some professions, especially those traditionally associated with men, have only one grammatical form.
But why can't a woman be a plumber?!
It's time to challenge all the preconceptions we were raised with, and to do so we need to change our point of view: only by broadening our perspective can we break free from stereotypes.
Author:
Federica Geremia
The visual contrast created by the two different types of clothing in the photo invites us to reflect on cultural expectations and stereotypes related to how we dress based on gender, emphasizing the importance of individual freedom to express oneself.
In a world often based on stereotyped norms, this photo celebrates diversity and the fluidity of styles and gender identities, fostering open-mindedness toward everyone's personal choices.
Author:
Giorgia Barsella
Where technology meets humanity: an AI vision beyond stereotypes. Artificially generated image.
In a socio-cultural context that acknowledges the existence of stereotypes, this is an image that overturns the cliché of male labor by depicting a woman in a setting that typically does not belong to her gender.
Author:
Nicolas Comuniello
“Boys do cry”
A young man with tears on his face defies gender stereotypes that force men to hide their emotions.
The dark tones and intimate atmosphere symbolize the social pressure that pushes men to mask their feelings. However, the light illuminating his face symbolizes the freedom to openly express one's emotions, emphasizing that such freedom is not only acceptable but also essential for everyone, regardless of gender.
Author:
Chiara Nossan
How many times do we find ourselves cutting off the annoying tags on our clothes?
And why not do the same with the ones that are sewn onto us?
Stereotypes are like labels that arise to simplify and classify. However, they can be used to justify social disparities and limit individual self-determination.
The aim is to inspire new generations to rebel, not let others label them, and to tear off these labels just as one would with annoying clothing tags.
Author:
Chiara Nossan
At the heart of the concept that takes shape within the shot is the desire to dismantle and explore the complex idea of gender stereotypes, starting from the core of the issue: gender itself. Considering that gender is the original label assigned to us even before birth, gender stereotypes become the cells of the social hive into which we are slotted, with clearly defined roles and little room to understand and learn to be who we are. The aim of the photo is thus to return this stolen freedom to the viewers, stripping the soul of unnecessary categorization through the portrait of a transparent, pure, and innocent love for oneself and for others. Seeing oneself in someone different, to recognize oneself as equal, because in the end, we are nothing other than people—all without distinction.
Author:
Monica Lanzetta
The strength of a woman and mother who raises her daughter relying only on herself, the strength of someone who is ready to face anything while preserving her femininity.
Author:
Eleonora Carloni
If you are a woman, in Italy you also die from language. It’s a civil death, but it hurts no less. Words are used to make us disappear from public places, professions, debates, and the news, but unfair words also kill us in everyday life, where the prejudice carried by language destroys our chance to be fully ourselves.
Inspired by the words of Michela Murgia, this shot aims to represent all those women who, when looking in the mirror, cannot find themselves: their images are erased by the words they are forced to hear every day.
Author:
Sofia Deangelis
Too often confined to limiting roles, women experience a systematic 'erasure' through stereotypes that restrict their possibilities, denying them the full expression of authentic and fulfilling lives.
The time has come to vigorously challenge these stereotypes, highlighting the representations of women in the media and promoting a shift toward a more inclusive and equitable society.
Author:
Chiara Nossan
In the lives of off-campus students today, socially recognized and stereotyped gender roles are naturally overturned.
The scenario isn't staged, but captures an authentic moment. This isn't an imitation of the man depicted on the left in the image, but rather a genuine expression of personal interests and hobbies.
In my daily life, I don't try to adopt the stereotypical role of the "man of the house," but instead aim for active cooperation, along with my siblings, for the well-being of our home environment without the imposition of predefined roles.
It's an invitation to reflect on the fluidity and diversity of gender identities in contemporary society, where true freedom lies in redefining gender expectations and overcoming the limitations imposed by outdated social norms.
Author:
Naomi Camardella