As part of the #bodyright campaign of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Serbia, young people, high school students across the country have begun important discussions about digital violence, online privacy, and available support resources — topics that directly shape their everyday lives. The goal of the campaign, which UNFPA implements globally and has been active in Serbia since 2022, is to highlight the need to protect our bodies in the virtual world by raising awareness among young people about various forms of technology facilitated gender-based violence.
“As a young person, I believe it is extremely important to bring this topic closer to peers who may not have access to information about #bodyright and their rights,” said Jovana Vasić, a peer educator who led the workshop at the Valjevo Gymnasium. “By talking about this topic, we create a safe environment and encourage young people to respond appropriately if their rights — or the rights of those around them — are violated. It is fulfilling to know that I may inspire at least one young person to learn about their rights in the online space, and that together we can create a safer environment.”
In seven high schools — in Kučevo, Valjevo, Požarevac, Inđija, and three schools in Belgrade — we created a space for young people to expand their knowledge on online safety. Through discussions and interactive exercises, they learned how to recognize digital violence, seek support, and offer support to peers who have been exposed to this form of violence. A key strength of the workshops is the peer-to-peer approach, which helps youth feel encouraged to express their views and critically examine social norms and gender roles together with their peers.
Jovana noted that young people often feel more comfortable discussing taboo topics with their peers, as prejudice and fear of judgment often lead them to remain silent. Through the workshops, she offers concrete support to her peers: “Most girls my age remain silent about violence they experienced due to fear of judgment, shame, distrust in people around them, or a lack of information about support resources. I try to help them understand all the rights they have — that their body belongs to them, both online and in the real world.”
Research conducted with UNFPA support shows that in Serbia, more than 70% of high school girls feel they are not as safe in digital spaces as boys, due to gender stereotypes, prejudices, and judgment directed at behavior that deviates from socially prescribed norms for women and girls.
Although girls are more often targeted by online violence, it is equally important to raise awareness among boys that violence can affect anyone and that their role in prevention is crucial. For Luka Perić, a peer educator who led workshops in Inđija and Kučevo, this is a key point: “The bodyright campaign is not confined to stereotypes about victims of online violence. Victims — as well as perpetrators — can be anyone. Young men often think that violence cannot happen to them or that their harmful behavior is not a problem — and that is precisely where the importance of this campaign lies. I try to encourage participants to think critically and understand that all forms of violence concern all of us.”
“What is essential is recognizing that inaction can be seen as participating in violence. Responding does not mean solving the problem alone — it means providing support, listening with empathy, and directing the victim toward the right resources,” Luka added.
Sofija Blagojević, a peer educator in the Inđija workshops, said: “I want girls to know that they are victims if their body has been misused, and that they should not feel alone or judged.”
These activities show how important it is to empower youth to recognize and respond to digital violence, and to support those who are exposed to it. Through open conversations, young people gain knowledge and skills that enable them to create a safer online space where everyone’s safety is respected, regardless of gender. The #bodyright campaign reminds us that protecting our bodies and rights in the digital world is a shared responsibility — and that every action, no matter how small, contributes to creating a safer and more equal society. Peer educators, who are part of the Youth panel of the Commissioner for the protection of equality, participated in activities that we conducted in collaboration with the Commissioner for the protection of equality.
These activities are part of the project “Ending Violence – Empowering Change”, jointly implemented by UN agencies in Serbia, UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF and UN Women, in partnership with the Government of the Republic of Serbia, with the support of the Government of Sweden. The project contributes to creating an environment where gender-based discrimination and violence are unacceptable, women’s rights are protected, and both women and men equally participate and contribute to all aspects of life.
