Days of action against violence against women
On the occasion of the International Day on November 25, the University of Montpellier is renewing its commitment to combating violence against women by organizing several initiatives. The program includes self-defense workshops to learn techniques and how to react, an awareness webinar to better understand and prevent violence, and an autobiographical theatrical performance entitled "Imperméable" (Waterproof), a memorable event not to be missed.
“In the books I read as a child, little girls sometimes had bad encounters. A threatening individual would jump out of a dark alleyway. So how could I have been suspicious when a family friend invited me to dance, all smiles, at a wedding one evening?”
This quote, taken from the play Imperméable by the theater company Le Cri Dévot, highlights the prejudices and impacts of gender-based and sexual violence. These forms of violence, which are many and varied, can occur anywhere, even in places where we feel safe. Whether on the street, at work, or in their private lives, women can be confronted with them.
The UM encourages people to break free from stereotypes by offering various awareness-raising activities that raise awareness and encourage UM students and staff to learn about and reflect on these key issues.
The University must be a safe, caring, and respectful place, a space where everyone can take action, at their own level, to reduce violence, from the most serious to the most commonplace.
On the agenda:
Imperméable (Waterproof) – By Le Cri Dévot theater company
Thursday, November 27
8:00 p.m. > 9:00 p.m.
Montpellier – Richter Campus – Maison des Étudiants Aimé Schoenig
Webinar to raise awareness about gender-based and sexual violence
Reserved for UM teaching staff
Friday, November 28
12:15 p.m. > 1:30 p.m.
Via video conference
Mental, emotional, verbal, and physical self-defense workshops
Reserved for female UM staff (cis and trans women)
Mondays – November 24 to January 12
12:15 p.m. > 1:30 p.m.
Montpellier – Triolet Campus – Building 3, Workshop Room
Workshop on mental, emotional, verbal, and physical self-defense
Reserved for UM students (cis and trans women)
Saturday, November 29
9 a.m. > 5 p.m.
Montpellier – Triolet Campus – Building 3, workshop room
Useful contacts:
At the University of Montpellier:
- To report acts of violence, discrimination, sexual harassment, sexist behavior, and for guidance, the best people to contact are the UM gender equality officer and the head of the Quality of Life at Work department.
- To support you, the preventive medicine service is at your disposal, including for issues of violence in the private sphere.
- More information on the system for reporting acts of violence, discrimination, harassment, and sexist behavior, and on contacts at UM.
Outside the University of Montpellier:
- Violence against women helpline: 39 19 (free and anonymous call). 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Let's stop violence: here.
- Portal for reporting gender-based and sexual violence: here.
- Police alert by text message: 114.
National toll-free number for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, aphasic, or dysphasic. Available 24/7. - Pharmacies: victims of violence can raise the alarm there.
- Information Center on Women's and Family Rights (CIDFF):
Counseling services with a psychologist and lawyer.
Contact the CIDFF in your department. - Social worker at Montpellier Police Headquarters:
Ms. Fatiha Bounoua, 06 74 94 49 73.
Support for victims and liaison between police and medical services.
This event is offered by the Quality of Life at Work department – Campus Life Division.