Luxembourg non-profit organisation Stand Speak Rise Up! (SSRU) has announced a series of events in Luxembourg and Paris throughout November 2026 to raise awareness of violence against women, ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on Wednesday 25 November 2026.
The programme includes film screenings, exhibitions, discussions, the launch of the second issue of the "Stand Speak Rise Up!" journal and marches, with a focus on supporting survivors of wartime sexual violence and children born of rape.
Following programme:
Wednesday 11 November, 13:30 (Cinéma Utopia, Luxembourg)
Screening of the film "Touchées", directed by Alexandra Lamy, in the presence of Grand Duchess Maria Teresa and Chékéba Hachemi, co-founders of Stand Speak Rise Up!. The event forms part of BGL's engagement week, "Together Against Violence Towards Women" ("Ensemble contre les violences faites aux femmes"). Registration is required.
Thursday 12 November, 11:30 (Place de Strasbourg, Luxembourg City)
Official opening of the "Simply Survivors" exhibition, featuring photographs taken by survivors of wartime rape and children born of rape. The exhibition will be accessible free of charge until January 2027. The opening will take place in the presence of Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, Chékéba Hachemi, who is also the exhibition's curator, and Luxembourg City Mayor Lydie Polfer.
Monday 16 November, 18:30 (Luxembourg Learning Centre, Belval)
Opening of the "Simply Survivors" exhibition at the Luxembourg Learning Centre, in collaboration with the University of Luxembourg. Grand Duchess Maria Teresa and exhibition curator Chékéba Hachemi will attend the event, which will include a welcome address, an exhibition visit and a cocktail reception. Registration is required.
Thursday 19 November, 13:30–19:00 (Mairie de Paris Centre, Paris)
An afternoon of discussions titled "Être mère face aux violences" ("Being a Mother in the Face of Violence"), organised by Stand Speak Rise Up! in collaboration with Groupe SOS and Maisons des femmes Restart. The event will focus on improving support for mothers experiencing violence. Chékéba Hachemi will open the event and participate in a round-table discussion. Registration is required.
Wednesday 25 November, 16:30 (Palais de Justice, Luxembourg)
Launch of the second issue of the "Stand Speak Rise Up!" journal, titled "Sexual Violence on Migration Routes and in Refugee and Displacement Camps". The publication brings together perspectives from legal professionals, doctors, researchers and survivors on sexual violence along migration routes and in displacement camps. The launch will take place in the presence of the journal's editorial board. Registration is required, and the publication will subsequently be available on the organisation's website.
Wednesday 25 November, 18:00 (BGL BNP Paribas, Luxembourg)
Conference titled "Femmes en exil, femmes en avenir" ("Women in Exile, Women with a Future"), featuring a round-table discussion and testimonies organised with SINGA to highlight the experiences of women in exile, often affected by sexual violence. Chékéba Hachemi, co-founder of Stand Speak Rise Up!, will lead the discussion in the presence of Benoît Hamon, Director General of SINGA Global.
Saturday 28 November (Luxembourg and Paris)
Marches against violence towards women will take place in both cities, bringing together associations and members of the public to demonstrate solidarity and raise awareness of violence against women. Stand Speak Rise Up! has invited the public to join the marches.
