The Comprehensive Attention to Gender-Based Violence and Sexual Violence Course, held from March 25 to April 5, 2025, concluded successfully, with the participation of staff members and contractors from our university. This initiative undoubtedly contributes to promoting effective strategies for addressing cases of violence and discrimination.

"We want zero violence at our University," asserted Pedro Aníbal Yanza Mera, Vice-Rector for Culture and Wellbeing at the University of Cauca. To advance toward this goal, the Vice-Rectory, in collaboration with the Committee on Gender-Based Violence and Sexual Violence and with support from the Center for Continuing, Open, and Virtual Education (CECAV), organized the Comprehensive Attention to Gender-Based Violence and Sexual Violence Course. Although this first edition was directed at university staff and contractors, future editions are planned for members of all university sectors.

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This training and awareness-raising space consisted of four in-person sessions held between March 25 and April 5, 2025.

The first session, titled "Perspectives and Realities in the Context of Gender-Based, Sexual, and Prejudice-Based Violence in Our Alma Mater and Broader Society," featured Nilsa Eugenia Fajardo Hoyos, lawyer and professor at Unicauca, and took place in the Aula Máxima of the Faculty of Natural, Exact, and Educational Sciences.

The second session, held in the Virginia Gutiérrez Auditorium of the Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, focused on the theme "Unlearning with Sexual Diversities and Gender Identities: Is It Possible to Be at the U?" and featured LGBTIQ+ activist José Daniel Gallego.

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Later, during the third session, an essential topic was addressed: "What Is the Purpose of the Care Route?" This session was led by psychologist Camila Hurtado and lawyer Carolina Arcos and took place in the Auditorium of the Faculty of Accounting, Economic, and Administrative Sciences.

Finally, the fourth session titled "Let's Weave Together for a University Free of GBV" was enriched by the participation of social organizations such as Ruta Pacífica de las Mujeres Cauca, Furia Marica, Caribe Afirmativo, and Aquelarre (Feminist Design Laboratory), and was also held at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Accounting, Economic, and Administrative Sciences.

"The development of each session was highly enriching because they provided us with tools to understand how to apply the gender protocol, how to begin denaturalizing implicit forms of violence, and even taught us how to deliver psychological first aid. Honestly, it felt like we needed more time to share additional experiences and perspectives," stated María Alejandra Medina, a Unicaucana contractor who attended the sessions.

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Vice-Rector Yanza also emphasized: "The impact we seek to generate through this course is to strengthen the University of Cauca as a safe space, a space free from violence, a space where we can meet and recognize each other in our differences, and where the various identities that coexist within our university can be acknowledged and respected."

We hope to soon extend the invitation to join the second edition of this important training process — a clear example of how, through real actions, we reaffirm our commitment to building a violence-free University.

It is expected that the tools provided throughout the course will be highly useful to the participants, allowing them to apply their knowledge in their daily university environments and contribute to creating an increasingly safe space for everyone. We also extend a warm invitation to professors to stay tuned and participate in this initiative, which seeks to raise awareness throughout the university community about Gender-Based and Sexual Violence.

 

Written by: Communications Management Center