On Wednesday, November 26th, 2025, College of Education and Languages, the Department of English Language held a national workshop entitled “VOICES OF CHANGE: GENDER BASED VIOLENCE AWARNESS AND ADVOCACY“. The workshop’s first session was presented by Asst.Lect. Ala Beshank Ahmed, an instructor at the Department of English Language. At the beginning of the workshop,she discussed the term of “gender” and how it was analyzed by the French Philosopher and Feminist thinker Simone de Beauvoir, who was one the first ones who discussed how gender is a social construct. Moreover, she explained how the term has been analyzed and developed throughout the previous years. As well as the workshop focused on the feminist movement which is a movement that goes against the oppressive systems of patriarchy and does not promote men hostility.
The second session was presented by Lect. Meram Salim Shekh Mohamad, also from the Department of English Language. She discussed the launch and significance of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, elaborating on the purpose of the campaign and the focus of each day. The session also addressed the importance of diversity, stressing that universities play a vital role in introducing, clarifying, and promoting such concepts to avoid misconceptions and misunderstandings within academic communities.
Importantly, the workshop underscored the relevance of Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5): Gender Equality, emphasizing the university’s commitment to advancing gender equality, empowering women and girls, and fostering an inclusive and safe learning environment.
Workshop Outcomes:
1.Promoting acceptance of diversity within the classroom and broader academic community.
2.Providing a clearer and more accurate understanding of the concept of gender.
3.Reinforcing that feminism is not about hostility toward men, but about achieving equality, justice, and human rights for all.
4.Highlighting the significance of SDG 5 and strengthening the university’s dedication to supporting global efforts toward gender equality.
presenter/s Information:
1. Lect. Meram Salim Shekh Mohamad, an instructor at the Department of English Language.
2. Asst. Lect. Ala Beshank Ahmed, an instructor at the Department of English Language.
