Dismantling Violence Against Women: Young People’s Engagement to Prevent Gender-Based Violence

Preventing gender-based violence needs actions that involve civil society, aimed at raising awareness of the deep-rooted nature of the phenomenon and promoting ways to prevent it. The younger generations can play a strategic role, as they are a social group potentially capable of offering new languages to defuse gender stereotypes and deconstruct social spaces structured around models of male dominance. Surveys show that young people are paying greater attention to the issue. This sensitivity can sometimes translate into civic engagement that combines digital and face-to-face activities. In both cases, the aim is to strengthen female empowerment and reset the terms of public discourse. Active participation can simultaneously become a social denunciation and a stimulus for change. This is demonstrated by the results of an exploratory survey, conducted through observation and interviews, on the motivations behind the commitment of young participants in one of the demonstrations for the elimination of violence against women, held on 23 November 2024. The findings highlight the objectives of raising awareness of the issues addressed by the event and the nuances of different levels of involvement among young people. There is a strong awareness among the protagonists and a greater female presence. These civic actions can become educational activities that stimulate critical thinking among participants. This form of participation indicates a specific type of civic engagement among young people that focuses on specific issues and is not interested in general political debate