The University of Montpellier organizes its action days against violence against women

[Press release] - Published on November 21, 2024 in Press Room, Environmental Issues and Social Responsibility

Far from tolerance or resignation, the University of Montpellier continues its commitment to combating violence against women. Around International Day on November 25, it will offer a variety of events, all with the same goal: to understand the causes of this violence, to protect against it, and to put an end to it. The program includes a workshop on mental and physical self-defense, an awareness-raising stand, a round table discussion, and a film screening followed by a debate. This strong and long-standing commitment is part of the UM's active policy to combat all forms of discrimination.

The University of Montpellier is committed to fighting sexism and all forms of violence against women.

On November 25, on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the University of Montpellier is offering a program that examines this violence from different perspectives. Redefining the concept of consent and analyzing these "gray areas , " learning how to detect this violence and respond to it, particularly by filing a complaint, but also how to protect oneself by saying a categorical "no" to all gender-based violence.

Combating violence against women is a long-standing commitment at the University of Montpellier. Since 2020, it has also been one of the main focuses of its plan for professional equality between women and men. This is an area that the UM wishes to develop and implement in the form of concrete actions throughout the year.

The agenda for the "days of action against violence against women"

This week will begin on Monday, November 25, on the Triolet campus with a workshop introducing mental, emotional, verbal, and physical self-defense. This practical training will be led by Idaline Lortiga from Loreleï, an association that promotes self-defense and combats sexism through "simple, quick, and effective" techniques. The goal is to find a way out of an aggressive situation, not to "win" against the aggressor or teach them a lesson. This workshop will be available until January 20, 2025, every Monday from 12:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., for all female UM staff.

On November 25, also on the Triolet campus and open to the general public, visitors will have the opportunity to talk to the Quality of Life at Work department, learn about the measures implemented within the university to combat violence against women, and pick up "repousse relou" whistles. This awareness-raising stand will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The week will continue on Tuesday, November 26, with a roundtable discussion entitled "Snow White: consenting or victim?" via videoconference from 12:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Based on two short films made by students at the University of Montpellier, the speakers will discuss the legal definition of consent, its implications, and its "gray areas." This discussion will examine how popular culture, education, and the media shape our representations of consent between glamorized violence and rape culture. Agnès Fichard-Carroll, Vice President for Education and University Life, in charge of Gender Equality, will open this roundtable discussion, which is open to the general public.

Finally, on Wednesday, November 27, the film "La nuit du 12" will be screened at 7 p.m. at the Aimé Schoenig student center on the Richter campus. A film by Dominik Moll, winner of six César Awards in 2023, including Best Film. This screening will be followed by a debate open to the public in the presence of the Montpellier Police Department's Human Rights Brigade.