Making a difference
Amnesty International Let’s Talk About YES!
As a student activist for the Amnesty International I committed myself to the Let’s Talk About YES! Campaign in Delft. In collaboration with Amnesty International, I&O Research performed a study in 2021 amongst 1.059 students regarding sexual culture. Shockingly, the results showed that 11% of female students and 1% of male students experienced sexual penetration without their consent while pursuing their eduction. Equally concerning was the discovery that most of these incidents went unreported, partly due to students’ lack of knowing where to turn for help. You can access the complete research report here.
In response to the research outcomes, Amnesty International established a new mission to hold Dutch universities and colleges accountable for the safety and well-being of their students as part of the Let’s Talk About YES! Campaign. A manifesto was formulates calling upon educational institutions to take a more proactive role against sexual violence. Signing the manifesto stimulates educational institutions to provide comprehensive education on sexual consent and easy acces to confidential counselors that work with clear protocols.
My role as a student activist primarily involved the orginazation of various events during action weeks, promoting important conservation on consent among students. Additionally, our activist group advocated for the adoption of the manifesto at the Technical University in Delft. Our ultimate goal is to foster an environment where intimate relationships among students are built upon principles of equality and consent.
Throughout my efforts as an student activist for Amnesty International, I gained understanding into the complexities of engaging individuals in social issues. My personal passion drives my commitment to this cause, but convincing others of the issue’s significance requires strategic engagement strategies. Effectively engaging people in meaningful conversations and actions is an art, and a skill that I aspire to continuously develop.
One of the events organised during an action week, where we watched the movie She Said
Posters for our exposition regarding consent at the faculty of Architecture, consisting of three parts: Pillowtalk, Define My Line, and Let’s Talk About My Undies
Spray paint sign of the campaign Stop Violence Against Women by Orange the World, in collaboration with Amnesty International.
GELIJKSPEl
GELIJKSPEL is an organisation that gives workshops to student organisations and associations about the norms of sexual interaction among students. During these workshops, we break down the ‘sexual game’ by using various situations that occur in student life. Through these scenarios, we start a conversation with the students. Taboo topics such as sexual pleasure and sexual consent are discussed. Together with the students, we redefine the norms of sexual conduct. We aim to promote a positive sexual experience and environment for students, by addressing taboo subjects in a positive and light-hearted manner.
“Make everyone a winner, play fair with ‘Fair play’”
I am part of the dedicated team of student ambassadors in Delft, driven by the belief that the GELIJKSPEL workshop can stimulate positive change among students. What sets this workshop apart is that it’s conducted by students for students, without lecturing individuals on how they should act. Instead, we initiate conversations and reshape the way we navigate our sexual interactions together, fostering durable and meaningful change.
As part of the student ambassador team in Delft, I am responsible for presenting the GELIJKSPEL workshop at student organisations. Moreover, we actively promote GELIJKSPEL and its workshop within student organisations and associations, encouraging them to request a workshop for their members. In this way, we passionately advertise the mission and values of GELIJKSPEL within the Delft student community.
Throughout my time as a ambassador, I have gained valuable communication and networking skills. Moreover, I acquired experience with public speaking and conversation moderation. These skills enhance my ability to effectively convey important messages and engage different audiences.
Gelijkspel workshop at student association Virgiel with first year students