Why should we educate on gender equality, sexuality, and affectivity?
We firmly believe that education for gender equality and equity, understood as the concepts highlighting that women and men, girls and boys and all other genders with different needs and power should have equal conditions, treatment and opportunities for realizing their full potential, human rights and dignity and that differences should be identified and addressed in a manner that rectifies the imbalances.
The stereotyped norms and behaviours that are the cause of any kind of gender-based violence are always influenced by rigid social structures that have always been imposed in society and that determine the emotional and sexual sphere, both in young and adult people.
For this reason, we believe that more and more spaces should be created to reflect on issues such as affectivity and sexuality, gender roles and stereotypes, and the different types of violence that result from them.
At school, for example: this is where people begin to form their identity and personality, and where they become tolerant, responsible, self-confident people, without limits or constraints. It is necessary to start at school to reverse the course and deconstruct these stereotypes, roles, and gender norms, which even during adolescence 'must' be adopted to be accepted in the society in which they live.
But also in other contexts by:
- strengthening the competencies of support services, we improve the lives of people who have suffered different types of violence;
- networking at local, national, and international level, we ensure that knowledge and good practices on prevention, awareness-raising and support are shared and replicated;
- developing policy recommendations, we support gender equality in different areas and promote changes at political level.
We believe that it is only through knowledge, dialogue, and experimentation that we can raise awareness on these issues and create real change in society, aimed at combating inequalities, discrimination, and gender-based violence.
What do we do?
Through prevention, information, awareness-raising, and support, CESIE works closely with the school world and with professionals to address these issues and support change.
By actively involving schools
We visit classrooms to analyse gender stereotypes, roles and norms, in order to overcome them; to talk about sexuality and affectivity with young people to guide them towards the creation of healthy relationships that aim at the well-being of all; to teach them to recognise gender-based violence and to fight it;
By raising awareness and training adults
We provide tools and methodologies to school staff, families, educators, service providers, professionals of all kinds and policy makers, so that they themselves can convey inclusive, positive messages towards sexuality and affectivity, and be able to identify and respond adequately to episodes of gender-based violence in any context.
Events
News & information
Launched piloting of the FROG methodology in Palermo
Restarting life outside prison is a leap that many times is scary. Through Road To Freedom we try to support people in residential facilities close to release, fostering their autonomy and rehabilitation. In the coming months we will implement the training course...
We ask the EU and national governments for more protection for trafficked persons’ rights
Trafficking in Human Beings is one of the most lucrative crimes and most severe violations of fundamental rights in the world with daunting consequences to all parties involved. It is believed that human trafficking in Europe creates an annual revenue around 29.4...
“Freedom, Love, Gratitude”: women survivors of violence meet the MARIPOSA project
«I felt free. Free to express emotions and to throw out all the bad things I was holding inside». To escape gender-based violence and regain serenity and freedom, it is often necessary for some women to move to protected places. But what is the value, for those who...
Interactive resources and content
#WeCoLead – Toolkit to support and empower young women
The #WeCoLead Toolkit consists of three Toolkits and explores the role that informal and nonformal education can play in providing tools for young women to act as leaders and forces for change in their communities toward sustainability, equality, and inclusion.
#WeCoLead – International report
International report on the results of research and activities implemented within social media.
#WeCoLead – Analysis of social media content
Analysis of social media content and various published posts portraying how young women use social media to express their concerns and opinions.
Do you want to be part of this process?
Consult the available resources, find out about current initiatives, or write to us for more information: