CGDS’s Launch of 16 Days of Activism

On November the 25th, 2019, CGDS held its own launch of the 16 Days of Activism campaign against gender based violence. The event took place in the conference hall at AUIS. Ms. Ashley Durec, representative from the Embassy of Canada; Erbil Office, gave a speech about gender equality. Following her speech, LSE research assistant Mr. Ramyar Ismail gave a brief presentation about masculinities. He explained the academic field of masculinity studies and how masculinity is perceived in society. An animated video was also presented, in which Dr. Lynn Rose explains the cultural constructions of masculinity and femininity. There were several activities that took place after the seminar. Renowned photographer Mr. Halo Lano took photos of those who wanted to partake in the “Not Complicit to Patriarchy” campaign, where men take a pledge to stand against inequalities against women. Alongside Halo Lano, there was a display of the comic books that were created by AUIS Students under the supervision of CGDS in cooperation with the Embassy of Canada to Iraq.