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.
This year, as part of the 16 Days of Activism, students and staff at several schools in Zenica, along with one local company, were provided with a practical reminder that support is available. Information boards displaying SOS hotline numbers for reporting violence were installed at the initiative of Ajdin Fejzić, a participant in the 19th cohort of the Learn, Think and Act (UMiD) training for young leaders implemented by the Institute for Youth Development KULT.
Ajdin’s idea was straightforward: to place violence-reporting hotline numbers in spaces where young people would see them every day. “Sometimes it’s enough for the information to be there, on the wall, for someone to know they are not alone,” Ajdin says.
He explains that the initiative was inspired by his experience in the UMiD programme: “I first learned about Orange Day as a participant in the 19th UMiD. I was drawn to the idea of connecting different communities and people to mark a day that is rarely talked about, despite its importance.”
As a result of his initiative, the boards were installed at the Classical High School Zenica, Vocational High School Mladost, Secondary School for Vocational Education and Training, Technical School Zenica, and the company Green Power Solutions. In each location, the boards were placed in visible, high-traffic areas: on notice boards, and on walls near staircases, corridors, and entrances, so they could be easily seen by anyone passing by.
Although modest in size, the boards carry significant meaning. In schools, where young people are first exposed to conversations about boundaries, trust, and seeking help, the boards serve as more than just information. They signal that violence should not be kept quiet, that help exists, and that asking for support is acceptable.
Teachers from the participating schools reported that students have already begun asking what the boards are for, why they were installed, and what the numbers represent. Each such conversation matters: when young people talk about violence, they learn how to recognise it, how to respond, and how to support one another.
Ajdin emphasises that initiatives like this help strengthen a sense of community and encourage young people to take responsibility: “Through cooperation with four secondary schools and the company Green Power Solutions, we organised workshops, talked about what this day means, shared perspectives, and planned ways to celebrate and promote it. On the day of the activity, we wore orange, displayed messages on office walls and notice boards. Students in the four schools marked the day in a similar way. They spread the message to students, colleagues, employees, and passers-by who noticed the initiative. Activities like this show why it’s important for young people to be involved in creating positive change. By working together, we create space for learning, volunteering, and teamwork. Both the company and a large number of students set aside time that day to learn something new and to send a clear message against violence.”
These orange boards, seen daily by thousands of students, serve as a reminder that efforts to prevent violence do not start with large-scale campaigns, but with small, practical actions that make communities safer.
We would like to thank the schools and Green Power Solutions for recognising the importance of this initiative and allowing the boards to be installed on their premises.
If you would like a similar information board to be installed in your building or institution, please contact hana.imamovic@mladi.org or call 033/778-763.
Why it’s important to include young people in these initiatives
Violence against women and girls is not an issue affecting adults alone. Research shows that young people are also at risk: 13% of young people in Bosnia and Herzegovina have experienced bullying, and many report knowing someone who has been the victim of violence.
For this reason, it is essential that schools teach about human rights, equality, and mutual respect. When young people understand what constitutes violence and know where to seek help, they are more likely to respond responsibly rather than remain silent observers.
The 16 Days of Activism campaign reminds us that living free from violence is a basic human right. This initiative shows that change can begin with a single idea, a phone number, and a small but meaningful gesture.
