San Marino football against gender-based violence: yesterday, today and always

The day after 8 March always leaves room for deeper reflection. International Women’s Day is not just a date on the calendar, but a moment that invites us to look beyond the celebration and to continue speaking about rights, respect and awareness in the days that follow.

It is within this context that the musical movement of San Marino United Artists takes on particular significance. The women’s voices of San Marino are not only musical performers, but ambassadors of important messages: through their art, they transform emotions and lived experiences into words and melodies that speak to everyone.

It is precisely from this spirit that the musical project “Oltre il Silenzio – Donne inCanto San Marino” was born, which led to the creation of “Quasi Invisibile”, the track performed by 12 San Marino singers and released on 25 November last year, to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. A song that addresses the issue of gender-based violence with both delicacy and strength, giving a voice to those who all too often remain silent.

A network of organisations in San Marino has also grown around this project, choosing to support and amplify the message of the song. Among them is the Federazione Sammarinese Giuoco Calcio, which decided to embrace the initiative together with San Marino United Artists, with the shared goal of raising public awareness – not only among sports or football audiences – on such an important topic.

From this collaboration, an awareness campaign was launched involving and set to involve clubs, supporters and competitions organised by the San Marino FA. For the 24th matchday of the Campionato Sammarinese (just played), six symbolic dolls were created: with light-blue hair and a white dress, paying tribute to the colours of the Republic of San Marino, and red shoes, the universally recognised symbol associated with the fight against violence towards women.

This figure, intended to become a true icon of the campaign, was brought onto the pitch before every match, giving concrete expression to the commitment of San Marino football. A symbolic yet powerful gesture, which asserts – physically and also through digital channels – the will to play an active role in raising awareness on this issue.

Months after its release, and precisely in the climate of reflection that follows 8 March, the message of “Quasi Invisibile” continues to resonate strongly. It demonstrates how music can outlive a single commemorative date and become a tangible sign of cultural and social commitment, capable of bringing together different worlds – from art to sport – united by the same objective: to ensure that no voice is invisible any longer. San Marino United Artists and the Federazione Sammarinese Giuoco Calcio therefore invite the public to listen to “Quasi Invisibile” on YouTube and on all major digital platforms, to continue spreading a message of respect, awareness and commitment against gender-based violence.