On November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, as CESIE we deeply renew our commitment to combating gender-based violence and promoting the fundamental rights of all individuals. This day also marks the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), an international campaign to raise awareness, mobilise action and advocate for systemic change to end violence in all its forms.
This year, as CESIE we proudly participate in this crucial period of activism and reflection with a School Festival: an initiative designed to defend human rights, raise awareness and engage young people in creating a world free of violence and discrimination. The Festival will be held on December 10, coinciding with Human Rights Day.
The Importance of the 16 Days Campaign and Human Rights Day
The 16 Days of Activism Against GBV is a global movement that begins on the 25th of November and runs through the 10th of December. It serves as a powerful call to action to end all forms of gender-based violence, as well as to promote gender equality and human rights for everyone. This campaign is both a time to reflect on the progress made and a reminder of the work still needed to create a world free from violence.
Similarly, Human Rights Day marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. It is a moment to celebrate the importance of human rights for all people, regardless gender, nationality, culture, or identity. For CESIE, this day represents an opportunity to reinforce our ongoing commitment to human rights and highlights our work in advocating for the safety, dignity, and well-being of every individual.
The LoveAct Project: A step towards a safer, fairer and freer future for young generations
The School Festival is one of the culminating activities of LoveAct, an initiative that CESIE has been running to prevent GBV and promote the active participation of young people in safeguarding their rights. The LoveAct project has worked with entire school communities; including students, teachers, parents, and grass-roots organisations, empowering them with the knowledge and skills to recognise, challenge, and prevent gender-based violence in their everyday lives.
Through a mix of capacity-building workshops, educational tools and materials, and awareness-raising campaigns, LoveAct has provided valuable resources to help individuals understand the causes and consequences of GBV while equipping them with the confidence to speak out, take action, and advocate for change.
As the project nears its conclusion, we are excited to celebrate its achievements, share its impact, and reaffirm our commitment to this important mission. The School Festival will be an opportunity to showcase the transformative power of education, creativity, and youth engagement in tackling the root causes of violence and promoting equality.
The School Festival: championing rights, inspiring action
The School Festival will be a dynamic 1-day event bringing together high school students, teachers, educators, parents and grassroots organisations to celebrate human rights, with a special focus on children’s rights. With workshops, interactive and participatory activities, and open discussions, the festival will create a safe and vibrant space for young people to reflect on, experiment with and explore the significance of gender equality, human rights, and violence prevention. The event will spotlight the creativity and enthusiasm of young activists already making a difference in their communities while providing opportunities of dialogue and collaboration among all participants. It will be an occasion to inspire action and lay the foundation for a safer, fairer and freer world.
Looking ahead: continuing the fight for rights and equality
Although the LoveAct project draws to a close, our commitment to preventing gender-based violence and promoting human rights remains as strong as ever. Our work will continue through new initiatives, strengthened partnerships, and advocacy efforts aimed at creating lasting change in the fight for equality, non-discrimination, and respect for all individuals.
About the project
Love Act – Living positive and intersectional sexuality education for gender-based violence prevention is funded by CERV-2022-DAPHNE programme.
Partners
- CESIE (Italy, coordinator)
- Elan Interculturel (France)
- Symplexis (Greece)
- DDG (Lithuania)
- The Square Dot Team (Belgium)
- CSI (Cyprus)
- Intered (Spain)
- UPV/EHU (Basque Countries)
For further information
Read the project sheet, visitwww.thegendertalk.eu and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Contact Ruta Grigaliunaite: ruta.grigaliunaite@cesie.org.
