Džemal Bijedić University of Mostar Launches the "16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence" Campaign

Džemal Bijedić University of Mostar Launches the "16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence" Campaign

Džemal Bijedić University of Mostar and the TPO Foundation, as part of the UNIGEM project, are marking the "16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence" campaign with a series of lectures, workshops, and discussions. These events, scheduled from November 26 to December 10, 2024, aim to educate academic staff, administrative personnel, and students about gender equality and gender-based violence.

Professor Rebeka Kotlo, Ph.D., the UNIGEM project coordinator for Džemal Bijedić University of Mostar, inaugurated the campaign on November 26, 2024, with a lecture titled "Gender Equality." This event, held at the Faculty of Law, included an in-depth discussion designed to raise awareness and enhance understanding of the importance of respecting gender equality. The session addressed the prevention and sanctioning of gender-based violence and its perpetrators, as well as ensuring the rights of victims. Special attention was devoted to the legal frameworks in Bosnia and Herzegovina and globally, emphasizing the practical application of anti-discrimination laws and addressing gender biases and stereotypes in the legal system.

The campaign also highlighted the progress of the UNIGEM project and the implementation of the Gender Equality Plan at Džemal Bijedić University of Mostar.

Through a signed Memorandum of Cooperation, Džemal Bijedić University of Mostar and the Transcultural Psychosocial Educational Foundation (TPO) are implementing the project "University and Gender Mainstreaming (UNIGEM)." Supported by the UK Government, the project focuses on preventing gender-based violence, discrimination, and sexual harassment while fostering integrity and quality in higher education.

The TPO Foundation coordinates the UNIGEM project in partnership with 19 universities across Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia, and Montenegro. This initiative underscores the strategic commitment of universities to promote gender equality and create a safe environment for students and staff.

The annual "16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence" campaign, organized by the TPO Foundation and its UNIGEM partners, runs from November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to December 10, Human Rights Day. This timeline symbolically links the fight against gender-based violence to the broader struggle for human rights.

Why This Campaign Matters

Gender-based violence remains a pervasive issue across societies and institutions, often overlooked despite the alarming rise in femicide. According to global studies, one in three women experiences some form of violence during her lifetime. This is not merely an individual issue but a societal challenge demanding systemic action. The campaign, initiated in 1991, unites over 180 countries and thousands of organizations worldwide to spotlight this problem and drive meaningful change.

Achievements of the UNIGEM Project

Over the past three years, the TPO Foundation, in collaboration with its 19 university partners, including Džemal Bijedić University of Mostar, has achieved significant milestones:

• Organized over 300 events, including workshops, panels, debates, and artistic performances.
• Held three winter schools and two summer schools for students and academic staff.
• Developed seven syllabi on gender equality for integration into curricula.
• Translated five academic publications as supplemental resources for universities.
• Published and promoted studies on gender equality, gender-based violence, and menstrual poverty.
• Conducted campaigns for the 16 Days of Activism.
• Trained representatives of police, judiciary, prosecution offices, and civil servants.

This year’s campaign, under the slogan “Support Victims and Survivors,” focuses on raising awareness, educating youth, and providing concrete support to individuals affected by violence.