The global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, held every year from 25 November to 10 December, brings people together worldwide to stand against violence against women and girls. Beginning on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and ending on Human Rights Day, the campaign serves as a reminder that living free from violence is not a privilege but a fundamental human right.
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, where gender stereotypes remain deeply rooted and various forms of violence affect even younger generations, it is especially important to teach young people about human rights, equality, and empathy. Young people become voices for change when they learn that equality does not mean we’re all the same, but that we have equal value and deserve equal respect.
Students of the General High School in Bosanska Krupa, led by their teacher Amna Dervišagić, showed that these topics can also be explored through science and creativity. They marked Orange Day – Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls in a unique way.
Diffusion of light and solidarity
As part of a regular physics lesson, second-year students conducted an experiment on the diffusion of turmeric particles in water under a strong light source. What seemed like a simple scientific process turned into an artistic display and a broader social message. The photographs taken during the experiment showed glowing orange shapes reminiscent of suns or planets, or, as Professor Dervišagić described it, “the diffusion of light, understanding, and support.”
A photograph submitted by student Hana Arnautović stood out in particular. Resembling an orange sun in motion, it became the centerpiece of a small exhibition at the school’s Science Corner. The exhibition also included art by students Rijana Jajčević, Uma Kadić, and Sara Novkinić. The students organized the exhibition themselves, decorating the corner with orange crepe paper and messages reading “Stop violence against women.”
At one point, students of class II1 spontaneously joined hands and walked in a circle around the display as a gesture of support for girls who have experienced violence. Their classmate, Nalina Nahić, wrote a message that resonated with everyone: “Violence is a blow, a word, and fear. Abusers are cowards.”
Why should young people learn about this?
Research by the Institute for Youth Development KULT shows that violence is not limited to adults. Thirteen percent of young people in BiH have experienced peer violence, 5.7 percent have experienced violence online, and four percent have experienced violence within their families. Nearly 30 percent know someone who has been a victim of peer violence, and 25.5 percent know someone who has experienced violence at home.
These findings show that education on human rights and gender equality needs to begin in school. Young people who understand how violence crosses boundaries and the importance of mutual respect are more likely to react, offer help, and be part of the solution rather than silent observers.
This is why activities like the one in Bosanska Krupa have lasting value. They demonstrate that the fight against violence can start with understanding, creativity, and collective effort, with small steps that shift how young people think.
Professor Dervišagić emphasises the importance of talking about these issues openly and in ways students can relate to. Stereotypes, prejudice, and gender inequality often take shape during school years, she notes, giving schools a crucial role in challenging them.
“By engaging students in educational and creative activities on this topic, we help build a generation that questions harmful behaviours and promotes a culture of respect, equality, and non-violent communication. When we talk to them openly about violence, all its forms, and its consequences, they become more aware and more resilient to manipulation and pressure. They know where to go for help, how to recognize violence, and how to support someone who is affected,” she says.
Orange Day – a symbol of support and light
Bosnia and Herzegovina was the sixth country to ratify the Istanbul Convention, the key international document for preventing violence against women and domestic violence. The Convention defines violence against women as a violation of human rights and a form of discrimination, and obliges states to act through prevention, protection, and education.
The Institute for Youth Development KULT has been highlighting the issue of violence against women and girls for years and celebrates Orange Day on the 25th of every month. Through workshops, campaigns, and local initiatives, the Institute raises awareness about reporting violence, supporting survivors, and building a society with respect as a core value.
The story from Bosanska Krupa shows once again that change begins with young people, with one classroom, one idea, and an orange glow spreading like light through water.
