In commemoration of International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026, SCORA and SCORP CIMSA UNEJ organized an activity called BRAVE (Break Harmful Norms, Raise Voices for Equality) to address issues surrounding gender inequality and sexual violence. Based on the pre-activity assessment conducted among CIMSA UNEJ members, it was found that although participants demonstrated good knowledge (average 65.24%) and very positive attitudes (3.8/4) towards gender equality, their behavioral practices remained relatively low (2.3/4). Many respondents lacked awareness regarding types of sexual violence, with 81.6% answering incorrectly, and showed limited initiative in reporting incidents or taking preventive actions.
These findings highlighted the need for a comprehensive intervention focusing not only on knowledge enhancement but also behavioral change. Therefore, BRAVE was designed as a multi-phase activity consisting of pre-activity training, a ground campaign, collaborative discussions, and creative engagement.
The activity began with a pre-activity session aimed at equipping members with fundamental knowledge regarding gender equality, harmful social norms, and sexual violence prevention. This session served as a foundation to ensure that all committee members had a shared understanding before engaging with the community.
The main activity was conducted through a ground campaign at the University of Jember, where participants directly interacted with the public to raise awareness about gender equality and the importance of breaking harmful norms. This was followed by a talk show held in collaboration with ALSA FH UNEJ, which provided a platform for interactive discussion and knowledge exchange regarding gender issues and legal perspectives on sexual violence.
To further deepen participants’ understanding, a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was conducted, allowing participants to share perspectives, reflect on societal norms, and discuss possible solutions to promote equality. The activity also included a creative session where participants painted on succulent pots. This activity symbolized that every individual deserves equal space to grow, express themselves, and showcase their uniqueness without limitations imposed by gender.
As a continuation of the activity, a social media campaign was also carried out to broaden the outreach and ensure that the messages of gender equality and sexual violence prevention reached a wider audience.
Through these integrated activities, BRAVE aimed to not only increase awareness but also encourage behavioral change among participants and the community, ultimately contributing to a safer and more equitable environment.
