Breaking the Silence

Written by Bjanka

Today, November 25th, is International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and this year, it marks its 25th anniversary. Today is the start of 16 days of activism against Gender-Based violence. The activism ends on December 10th, which is celebrated as Human Rights Day, highlighting that violence against women is a fundamental violation of human rights.

I can dive deeper into the history of this day. I can fill this blog with the alarming rates of sexual and/or physical violence against women, or the rising number of femicides worldwide. Still, I am choosing to write this blog from a more personal perspective, with the hope that I can connect with the readers on a deeper level, inspire empathy, start conversations, and make some change.

As a woman, especially as a woman in IT, I can’t even fit into this blog how many times I have heard discriminatory comments and experienced people questioning my abilities. Some still believe this field is a “male domain”. One recent example stands out: I was asked why I chose one of my current courses, with the suggestion that I should have pursued something like “international relations”—a subject that isn’t even part of the syllabus for my major. My first reaction was to prove my worth, detailing my academic journey starting with my math major in high school, followed by a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Engineering. I explained that pursuing my master’s in the Faculty of Informatics and Statistics is a natural progression in a path I’ve worked hard to build. While fields like international relations are equally valuable and essential, my choice reflects my strengths and passions, and it shouldn’t need justification simply because of my gender. Instead of engaging with my explanation, the person doubled down with an even more insulting comment: “I never understand why you girls are wasting your most fertile years studying.” At that point, I decided to cut off communication entirely. I realized I’m not the person who would change his way of thinking, and continuing the conversation would only drain my energy. Situations like this highlight the deeply ingrained biases women face and the exhausting burden of constantly having to defend our ambitions in spaces where we belong just as much as anyone else.
Experiences like these are not just frustrating, but they also point to a bigger problem- the normalization of sexism in social interactions. Unfortunately, this culture of dismissing, devaluing, or undermining women doesn’t stop at words. It often escalates into more harmful actions, including sexual harassment. As a woman navigating academic and professional spaces, I’ve seen how discriminatory attitudes lay the groundwork for behaviors that range from inappropriate comments to outright harassment. During my education, I attended a course whose main focus was communication and presentation of information, and one of the topics was misuse of Power and Influence. One of the three instances where power is used unfairly is sexual harassment. The ways that the professor advised us about responding to sexual harassment were made of a couple of steps. The first one is talking to the harasser, where you should tell the person in an assertive way that that kind of behavior is not welcomed. Unfortunately, there are cases where that kind of behavior continues. The next step is to collect evidence, you can even seek collaboration from other people that have experienced similar situations. After that, you can go to the appropriate channels within the organization and file a complaint. The essential thing is never to blame yourself. Many people that are abused, feel responsible for getting harassed, but I can assure you one thing – You are not to blame!

In moments when sexual harassment occurs, it can be overwhelming and difficult to know how to respond. One of the most important steps you can take is to seek support from a trained professional. As students at VŠE, we’re fortunate to have access to a free counseling service that can provide guidance and emotional support. Scheduling an appointment is easy and can be done through https://ac.vse.cz/english/psychological-counselling/opening-times/ . These professionals are equipped to help you navigate your feelings, and explore your options. Seeking professional help ensures you’re not facing the situation alone and can be a crucial step in reclaiming your sense of safety and control.

As we mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, it’s clear that addressing gender-based violence requires more than awareness—it demands action from all of us. Gender-based violence comes in all its forms. By speaking up, supporting one another, and utilizing available resources like the counseling services at VŠE, we can break the cycle of harm and foster a culture of respect and safety. So today, let’s not only honor this day but also take it as a call to action—to build a world where women can pursue their ambitions, feel safe, and live free from fear.