Rula Jebreal

On the occasion of November 25th, the date on which the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women occurs, the University of Padua – in collaboration with the universities of Newcastle, Madrid, and Vienna - launched an initiative aimed at involving students in the discussion that concerns gender-based violence perpetrated within the media sector, specifically against female journalists.

For this project, our group chose as its ambassador Rula Jebreal, a journalist, writer, professor, and activist who has been fighting gender-based stereotypes and discriminations that still affect women all over the world. We retraced the fundamental milestones of her life and the professional goals she achieved, and we learned from them a lesson on the value of freedom and on the need to make our voices heard.

It is us, young women and men, who have the task of putting these words into practice and pushing towards true gender equality. Therefore, we speak out for the values of inclusiveness and demand a change that is not only political, but also cultural and social. To quote the words that Jebreal pronounced: "if it's not us – with our freedom, our strong tools, our privileged position – the ones who insist for it, then who?". It is a turning point that must take place as soon as possible and that must affect both the collective and private life of each of us.