Since 2019, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women has been honoured at Freie Universität Berlin with events and actions

“Support the University – Take a Stand against Sexualized Harassment, Discrimination and Violence:” International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women Campaign 2024

The panel discussion on sexual harassment, discrimination, and violence in the university context was a particular highlight of the 2024 program, which also included workshops for various target groups.

• “Critical Masculinity or Criticisms of Masculinity?” A moderated discussion for male* students (in German and English)
• Workshop for employees and teaching staff: “Dealing with Gender Diversity in Everyday Working Life in a Competent and Appreciative Manner” (in German)
• Empowerment workshop for queer students (in German)
• Workshop: “Empowerment through Feminist Self-assertion and Self-defense” (in German and English)
• Panel discussion: “Sexualized Harassment, Discrimination, and Violence at Universities”

The action days also saw the launch of the “From Wish to Reality” wish box, which was used to collect ideas and suggestions concerning the topic of sexualized harassment, discrimination, and violence from Freie Universität members. The suggestion box gave rise to the “Stand by You” group, which consists of students and staff members at Freie Universität Berlin who are committed to helping develop prevention measures at the university. You can find out more about the wish box here.

Anti-Violence Campaign Days 2023

In 2023, a cultural event was held alongside various workshops. For the first time, the theatre performance "MARTA - Theaterstück durch den Körper und die Biographie" ("MARTA - a play through body and biography"), which dealt with gender-specific violence, took place at the FU.  

• Workshop "Gender based digital Violence" (in German)
• Workshop "Flirting without Macho Behaviour"
• Workshop "Self-defence - Self-assertion - Empowerment" (in German and in English)
• Workshop "Wendo - Self-assertion and Self-defence for Women*" (in German)
• Workshop "Gender-construct and Body - feminist Theatre of the Oppressed" (in German)
• Conversations about Sexualized Harassment, Discrimination, and Violence at the University
• Moderated Discussion "Critical Masculinity or Criticisms of Masculinity?"
• Forum with short presentations on dealing with sexualised harassment, discrimination and violence at universities - Concepts and Perspectives
• Theatre performance "MARTA - a play through body and biography" (in German)

Anti-Violence Campaign Days 2022

In 2022, the focus was not primarily on women affected by violence, but on the accountability of all individuals and groups at the university. Courageous managers, colleagues or fellow students who do not tolerate sexualised harassment and assault, but clearly disapprove of it and take action against it, contribute to the prevention of violence. Numerous activities were offered:

• Workshops: confronting (Cyber)Stalking , Sozialisation und Gewaltbereitschaft
• Exhibition #MeToo and the University
• Wish tree to accompany the exhibition
• Panel discussion: together against sexual harassment, discrimination and violence at universities
• From peer to peer: exchange on sexualised harassment, discrimination and violence in the university context,
  

Poster 2022

Action Month 2021

In 2021, a variety of very different formats of activities were organised throughout November, which was declared as Anti-Violence Month.

• Workshops: self-assertion and self-defence, empowerment workshop of the psychological counselling service
• Margherita von Brentano Prize awarded to Feminicide Map
• Blog posts on the topic of violence against women (only available in German)

Counselling Days 2019 and 2020

In 2019 and 2020, women's representatives, members of the staff councils, representatives of the severely disabled, social counselling as well as social contact persons of Freie Universität offered confidential counselling sessions for victims and observers of physical, psychological or sexualised harassment, discrimination or violence in different languages and at different locations.

Poster 2020