"Donner des Elles à l'UM": a month of March dedicated to gender equality at the University of Montpellier

[Press release] - Published on March 4, 2025 in Environmental issues and social responsibility, Press room

International Women's Rights Day doesn't last a day, but a month at the University of Montpellier. From March 1 to 31, 2025, for its 9th edition, the "Donner des Elles à l'UM" event invites us to work together to advance gender equality through a rich and varied program. It's a privileged moment at the confluence of reflection, questioning and action, with the aim of making these commitments last, well beyond the month of March.

March diary "Donner des Elles à l'UM" (Giving Elles to the UM)

Like every year, March marks the return of actions around gender equality at the UM, and this time, the place of men in feminism will be questioned. There will be humor, emotion and reflection, in a spirit of openness alternating relaxation, seriousness and gravity.

The University of Montpellier was awarded the Alliance "égalité femmes-hommes et diversité" label by Afnor, rewarding solid, long-term work in these two fields, which are at the heart of our commitments. This year, the focus is on the role of men in gender equality. How can we educate boys to grow up without sexist prejudice? Can men be true allies of feminism, or do they run the risk of being false friends? 

The program includes a wide range of accessible activities to suit all tastes: workshops on speaking out (reserved for female UM staff), self-defense (reserved for UM students), screenings of short films and the film Entre les vagues by Anaïs Volpé, stands to raise awareness of menstrual pain, gender-stereotyped communication, exhibitions, plays, round-table discussions and even a games evening. Les Elles" will take place at most of the University of Montpellier's sites, as well as by videoconference.

The full program can be found here.

The University of Montpellier committed to gender equality

Equality, a major challenge for our society, is also being implemented at the University, the training ground for future generations. The University of Montpellier has therefore been committed to gender equality for many years. In this context, the University of Montpellier's 2023-2025 gender equality plan, unanimously adopted by the Board of Directors on March 13, 2023, is entering its final deployment phase. Thirty actions complete the forty already implemented under the previous plan. Through the specific actions carried out throughout the month of March, the University of Montpellier aims to encourage reflection and awareness of gender equality. Whether on a personal or professional level, these times of exchange and awareness-raising aim to open up dialogue and deconstruct stereotypes.

The gender equality plan: here.

Key words : Art and culture, Campus, Students, Employees