Cards Against Gender-Based Violence

Aims of the tool

*To raise awareness and prevent gender-based violence among teenagers and youth.
*To teach teenagers and youth about the different forms of GBV.

Description of the tool

Steps
First, you should start by having a conversation with the teenagers or youth to explain to them that they are going to play a game that could affect them emotionally. You may want to agree on some characteristics for a safe space with the whole group.
To start the game, the players should stand in a circle. Each player should take 2-3 cards (depending on how many players you have total, ensuring that none of the cards are repeated and that all of them are discussed). These will be the questions that they will try to answer and discuss with the group. In order to decide who goes first, you can have the person whose birthday is closed start, or relate it more to the game and have the person who’s wearing the most purple start.
The first player starts by reading their question out loud. They then have a few seconds to think of an answer while the others also reflect. Once they have their answer, they can share it with the rest of the group. The rest of the group is then invited to share their answers with the group. The facilitator should make sure that the participants stay on task and that all voices have a chance to be heard, but no one should be forced to speak if they don’t want to.
You then continue around the circle-clock-wise or counterclockwise as you wish-and each participant does the same.
To finish the activity, collect the cards and gather the group in a circle again to start the debriefing part of the game.

Recommendations
Since this game could trigger emotional reactions, it’s a good idea to establish a safe space at the beginning. Also make sure that the players are in a physical space that is comfortable and calm, with minimal noise and distractions.
The facilitator should pay attention to the language being used-both by them and the participants themselves- to ensure that inclusive language is prioritised and that nothing offensive is said.
Make sure to allow enough time for debriefing and reflecting at the end of the game (at least 10 minutes) and allow all voices to be heard.
During the debriefing, you can also encourage the youth to brainstorm ways that they could raise awareness about gender equality and fight against gender-based violence in their community.

Debriefing
What did you learn about gender-based violence? What surprised you the most?
What can you do in your community to raise awareness on gender-based violence?
What can we do as a society to raise awareness and improve the current situation?