Last night at the Matica Srpska Gallery in Novi Sad, bodyright campaign "Your body is yours, both online and offline!" was presented to diplomats and partners supporting the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) initiative to ensure better protection of privacy and bodily autonomy in the digital space. The bodyright campaign has been implemented by UNFPA in collaboration with the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality in Serbia since November 2022. The presentation continued at the EXIT Festival, where visitors and delegation members had the opportunity to further inform themselves and contribute personally to the visibility of the bodyright campaign.
The goal of the campaign is to raise awareness among the general population, especially young people, about the widespread gender-based violence in the digital sphere and its consequences. The campaign calls on decision-makers, technology companies, and all other relevant organizations to improve both protection mechanisms and support mechanisms for individuals of all ages exposed to this type of violence and abuse.
Snežana Mišić, Deputy Director of the Matica Srpska Gallery, welcomed the guests on behalf of the Gallery and expressed her gratitude for the opportunity for this cultural institution and promoter of progressive ideas to participate in the promotion of the bodyright campaign.
"Bodyright urges us to take gender based violence seriously. This campaign has helped people in Serbia recognize and combat online abuse, protecting their rights and bodily autonomy online. Continuing our efforts this year, I am happy that we've teamed up with the Exit Festival to reach and engage more youth in our joint mission to end online abuse", stated John Kennedy Mosoti, Director of the United Nations Population Fund for Serbia.
"Together we can build a digital world where everyone's rights are respected, where diversity is celebrated and where empathy and kindness prevail. The Bodyright campaign reminds us that our voices matter, that our actions can make a difference", added Brankica Janković, Commissioner for the Protection of Equality.
It is no coincidence that the promotion of a campaign aimed at young people takes place in the week when the whole world celebrates World Population Day, and our region particularly emphasizes the seriousness of current demographic shifts and stresses the need for urgent responses. UNFPA draws attention to the complexity of the causes contributing to demographic changes that require comprehensive, thoughtful, and sustainable measures so that every person has the opportunity to realize their potential and thus contribute to the development of the society. This is especially important for young people, as the greatest developmental resource, particularly young women who are the target group of a large number of measures to increase birth rates. UNFPA reminds that no measure should carry the risk of endangering achievements and progress made so far in the field of gender equality, reproductive rights, and women's empowerment, thus causing far-reaching negative consequences for countries’ stability and development.
Additionally, violence against women and girls is taking new forms and expanding into the digital world, which is why the national bodyright campaign in Serbia is gaining importance every day. It promotes the protection of personal dignity, integrity, and bodily autonomy in the virtual world and an adequate protection system that is still lacking in many countries. A clear message was sent from Novi Sad that every individual can get involved and seek better protection online. Because your body is yours! Both online and offline!
