Gender-based violence affects millions of women and girls every year, permeating borders, cultures and generations. In Tunisia, the European Union Delegation (DUE) has made a strong commitment to the 16 Days of Activism against Violence against Women and Girls campaign, organising two flagship events based on art and collective commitment.

On 3 December 2024, the Cinema Rio in Tunis, an iconic venue steeped in history and art, hosted one of the campaign’s key events. Supported by the European Union, AECID and UNFPA, the event explored the powerful role art can play in the fight against gender-based violence. The evening opened with À ton tour, a documentary by Mohamed Saied featuring a forum theatre workshop on cyber-violence. Presented by Raouf Ben Yaghlane and developed in partnership with the Arab Institute for Human Rights (AIHR), this workshop provided a space for collective reflection, producing building blocks for dealing with online violence, a growing threat in the digital world.

The short film Beyond Reality, directed by Bechir Zayene, captivated the audience with the harrowing story of Hayet, a young woman who has been the victim of multiple forms of violence – physical, psychological and digital. Supported by AECID and UN Women, this immersive work moved the audience, and raised awareness, which is key. The screening was followed by a lively debate between activists, artists and experts, who analysed art’s unique ability to expose violence and rally communities to bring about lasting change. This exchange reinforced the idea that the fight against violence requires synergy between all the players involved: civil society, artists, institutions and citizens.