The report is built on a survey of 128 young women from the academy on their power to influence, the opposition and opponents they encounter, and where they find the energy and courage to continue the struggle. Some of them have also added personal stories to the report.
The study found that 80 % of the survey respondents regard violence against women as by far the most important gender equality issue in their societies. More than half of the respondents had also been subjected to some form of gender-based violence, such as slander, sexual harassment, or abuse.
The young women who participated in the survey answered that their biggest obstacles to work as Femdefenders are religious and traditional leaders and rules, political parties and their leaders, the state (police, legal system, military, etc), nationalist movements, and their own families. The report ends with a summary of the charter that the young women who participated in the academy produced together.
The charter contains recommendations for national and international decision-makers to influence the debate on women’s rights and peace work from the perspective of young women.