Prevention is better than cure. That is Filactions' credo. The association was created in 2005 from the merger of two associations (VIFF and FIL) supporting women and their children who are victims of violence. They asked themselves: how can we tackle the root causes of this scourge before the victims arrive at the shelter, and reduce the number of victims? One solution: prevention. VIFF and Fil then created Filactions, an organization dedicated to the prevention of gender-based and domestic violence (GBV) through various awareness-raising activities, training for professionals, public information, and mobilization to change behaviors ingrained in our patriarchal society. Since its inception, Filactions has been a member of the Fédération nationale Solidarité Femmes (FNSF). Based in Lyon, its influence extends throughout the region thanks to five employees, four of whom are responsible for prevention, two volunteers in the Civic Service, and a network of 100 volunteers.
Youth Prevention
As part of the Générations Féministes project, run since 2023 by Filactions and Equipop in the Lyon metropolitan area, the association works in five pilot schools, raising awareness among 12-25 year olds about gender-based and domestic violence through educational workshops and participatory games. For example, the games "Let's Talk About Romantic Relationships" and "Let's Talk About Masculinity" use cards with statements that young people must take a position on and then debate. In universities, Filactions has also worked with student unions (BDE). Placed in situations related to their associative context and the violence that can occur (integration parties, assaults within the offices, between members, etc.), young people had to identify ways to remedy the situation and become aware of their internal resources to create a safer and more egalitarian environment.
" Our educational workshops create a space where young people can be kind to each other and wish each other happiness in their romantic relationships. It's a source of hope," Pénélope Goueslard, prevention officer at Filactions.
Long-term commitment
The educational workshops helped raise awareness among the young participants. Filactions also welcomes the signing of an agreement with the five partner institutions of the Génération Féministe project. This three-year commitment will enable the association to continue its work in schools, involve teaching staff in the prevention of gender-based and domestic violence, and raise awareness of this issue among more young people.
Focus on… the “Brisons le silence” festival
From November 13 to 28, 2023, throughout the Lyon metropolitan area, this festival offered the general public around twenty events, shows, and meetings to discuss sexual violence, those who suffer from it, and ways to combat it. On this occasion, five secondary school classes were able to discover the play "T'es pas mon genre" (You're not my type). It ended with a stage discussion, opening up a new space for students to express themselves on the issue of consent and sexual violence.
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Equipop's sorore support
The Génération Féministe project is the result of Filactions and Equipop's shared desire to work together to promote equality. This collaboration also gives Filactions a perspective of international solidarity by building bridges with other feminist organizations, particularly in West Africa, supported by Equipop. The aim is to organize a round table to exchange views and discuss ways of preventing domestic violence, according to different countries and socio-economic issues.
To be continued…
Filactions hopes to mobilize young volunteers around issues of equality so that they can become drivers and leaders of projects within their schools. Concerned about the rise of masculinists, who are finding an audience among young people thanks to social media, the association also intends to take preventive action by deconstructing the discourse that spreads false anti-feminist information.