Why is everyone replacing their profile picture with black on Facebook?

Why is everyone replacing their profile picture with black on Facebook?

You may have recently noticed, among your Facebook contacts, profile photos replaced by a completely black background.

What does this new phenomenon on Facebook mean? Many of our contacts now appear as a black bubble in place of their regular photo. This movement, which has so far mainly taken on Facebook, is also present on other social networks.

It is actually an online movement against violence against women called "female blackout" with the #luttecontrelesviolences. "Your profile photo will have to disappear and be replaced by a black square", explains a collective message which is currently running on the web. "So we can have a view of what the world could be without women", addresses certain messages, while others encourage both sexes to participate in the initiative: "Whether you are a man or a woman, support this action ".

If the action emerges today, it is because of the specific conditions of confinement that increase the risks for women victims of domestic violence. In Belgium, a number for victims of violence exists: 0800 / 30.030. The line is saturated everywhere in Belgium where calls have doubled in recent weeks.

Today, BLACK OUT FEMALE on social networks, from 8h to 21h, to alert on violence against women:

WE ALL show what a world without women could be by replacing our profile picture with a black square.