The project aimed to develop interdisciplinary and international educational modules, as well as professional tools dedicated to gender-based violence and sexual exploitation. It also sought to strengthen the capacities of organizations from the European Union and third countries so that they could develop and implement appropriate strategies to effectively respond to the challenges associated with gender-based violence. It sought to encourage strategic cross-border cooperation and the development of networks between European and international organizations. The project also promoted women's engagement in gender-sensitive communication, based on positive messages and using emotional memory as a lever for raising awareness. Finally, it aimed to promote greater public awareness and facilitate access to in-depth and meaningful information on the global and internal interdependencies that fuel gender-based violence and sexual exploitation.
According to the World Bank, 35% of women worldwide have experienced physical and/or sexual violence. In 2021, 7,155 victims of trafficking were identified in the EU, the majority of whom were women and girls, with sexual exploitation being the most prevalent form. These data highlight the global interdependencies of gender-based violence (GBV). Existing training programs often remain sector-specific and lack interdisciplinary approaches. There is a need to strengthen civic skills, contextualize GBV internationally, and train professionals around a common understanding. Stigmatization limits victims' ability to speak out. Storytelling is a lever for empowerment and awareness-raising in the face of persistent representations. The WeLENS project aims to develop critical thinking about the global dynamics of GBV, analyze its root causes, and mobilize various actors for more just and sustainable societies.