LeTSGEPs’ project aims at developing Gender Equality Plans of our RPOs within a Gender Budgeting perspective. A significant part of each partner’s activities consists therefore in implementing GEP measures, some of which may be defined “Best Practices” because of their innovative approach. Thanks to a scientific methodology developed by LeTSGEPs’ partner ICM, we selected a “Best Practice” measure for each of our six partners, and we are now very happy to share them with the RPO’s community.
In this post you find the presentation of the Best Practice N. 4 by our Partner CY (Cergy Paris University – France) you can find the other Best practices at these links: ICM, MISANU, MPIN, UNIME, UT.
Should anybody be interested in further details, please contact us: info@letsgeps.eu

 

BEST PRACTICE TITLE: RAISE AWARENESS, listen and support the CY community to prevent Gender Based Violence

The Context and the Identified need(s)/ Inequalities addressed
There are no indicators on gender-based violence at CYU because surveys have never been circulated among students or staff on the topics.
Nevertheless, there is data available at the national level. They have been collected by a national student association in 2019-2020 using an anonymous survey sent to all French university campuses. Results showed that 4% of students (3% of men and 5% of women) have reported being victims of gender-based violence. Following these events, more than one in five victims did not speak to anyone; more than one victim in two has spoken to those around them and a little less than one in four victims within the institution (student union, administrative staff, emergency unit). No data is available for staff.

Best Practice Description:
Implementation of measures to prevent GBV including sexual harassment in order to raise awareness, listen and support the community of CY.

 

 

Main achievements:
In general, the student medical service has been very active since 2020, when its management changed. Several workshops were organized to raise students’ awareness of sexual health issues and communicate about the tools available in the event of psychological distress related to violence, harassment and discrimination. In addition, the gender equality officer is working with the network of CY libraries to set up a system of free dispensers of sanitary napkins. In more detail:

1. In April 2021, a meeting between the vice-presidents and the director of WomenSafe will take place to discuss the implementation of a communication plan which includes video campaigns but also workshops on sexual and gender-based violence and discrimination.
2. In October 2021, the CY library network organized the screening of the film “Picture a scientist” followed by a discussion with the Gender Equality Delegate and a representative of the “Femmes & Sciences” association.
3. Two online training events on sexual violence and discrimination were organized in collaboration with Egaé (for staff) and Clashes (for engineering students), in November 2021. The number of participants was around 35 for staff and 200 for students.
4. In April 2021, a meeting between the vice-presidents and the director of WomenSafe will take place to discuss the implementation of a communication plan which includes video campaigns but also workshops on sexual violence.
A project is underway with the faculty directors to offer the screening of the documentary “Breaking the silence of the amphitheatres” to students.
5. Since October 2020, students can request the use of a first name different from the given one by filling out a form available online. Students will have their chosen first name used in all administrative documents for the entire academic year. Then, the procedure will have to be renewed for the following year.

Strengths of the measure/action and key elements for success:
● Long-term sustainable measure addressed to all university users
● It will lead to structural changes, and institutionalized initiatives that will be carried out every year
● It will respond to the need of creating a self-conscious community where all members are aware of the psychological consequences that gender-based violence may have.

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash