‘yut rise up’ for a safer, more equitable future

The ‘yut rise up’ campaign has a mission to empower Vanuatu’s youth to reject violence & become champions for a safer, more equitable future.
Credit: yutriseup/Savvy Vanuatu

Yut yumi fiuja, yumi mekem change

Port Vila, Vanuatu – Friday 30 August 2024: Gender-Based Violence (GBV) remains a critical issue in Vanuatu, with 60% of women and girls experiencing physical or sexual violence within their lifetime.

In response, the ‘yut rise up’ campaign is launching with a mission to empower Vanuatu’s youth to reject GBV and become champions for a safer, more equitable future.

The ‘yut rise up’ campaign is part of a broader initiative backed by the Government of Vanuatu through the Ministry of Justice and Community Services via the Department of Women’s Affairs and funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) until 2026.

Led by Save the Children Vanuatu in partnership with Youth Challenge Vanuatu and Wan Smolbag Theatre, ‘yut rise up’ is a dynamic movement designed to inspire and mobilise Vanuatu teenagers aged 10 to 19 years.

The multi-year campaign is built on three main pillars: a series of six-week workshops with a youth mentoring initiative, an online youth campaign with ‘pop-up’ events, and a compelling short film, all aimed at instilling values of respect, equality, and positive personal change.

At its core, the ‘yut rise up’ campaign seeks to educate, inspire, and empower young people. By challenging the attitudes, behaviours, and societal norms that perpetuate violence, the campaign aims to create a brighter, safer future for all.

“At Save the Children, we believe that every child and young person deserves to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment and to have the opportunity to follow their dreams,” said Polly Banks, Country Director of Save the Children Vanuatu.

“The ‘yut rise up’ campaign is about giving young people the tools they need to make healthy choices, enjoy safe relationships, and make positive personal changes in their lives and communities.”

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‘yut rise up’ participatory learning workshops

Youth Challenge Vanuatu is leading the series of six-week ‘yut rise up’ participatory learning workshops in Port Vila and Santo, designed to equip young people with the tools they need to become leaders in their communities.

These innovative workshops are based on international best practice and local experiences, and explore crucial topics such as healthy and safe relationships, consent, sexual and reproductive health, gender roles, and the role of youth in fostering equality and rejecting GBV.

The ‘yut rise up’ workshops are being delivered in two streams for teenage girls and another for teenage boys by specially trained YCV facilitators at partnering schools, churches, youth and sports groups.

Importantly, these sessions also involve parents and caregivers to ensure families are united in supporting their children and the campaign’s broader goals, as well as learning how to foster healthy communication with their teenagers and positive parenting.

“Youth Challenge Vanuatu is proud to be part of the ‘yut rise up’ campaign in 2024 and 2025,” said Noel Steven, Director of Youth Challenge Vanuatu.

“We’re not just aiming to raise awareness. We’re laying the foundation for a future where every young person in Vanuatu can lead their communities with the principles of respect, equality, and non-violence at their core.”

“Together, we rise up for positive change!” he said.

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‘yut rise up’ online campaign

Complementing the on-the-ground education efforts is an extensive online campaign which aims to reach over 15,000 young people.

This digital campaign will be the heartbeat of ‘yut rise up’ with a strong presence across social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

In a first for Vanuatu, the online campaign is being informed by a ‘yut rise up’ youth advisory group who are helping to ensure the campaign’s look, language, and content are relevant and appealing to youth.

The online content will include storytelling, powerful visuals, and interviews with experts designed to inspire youth across Vanuatu to reject GBV and embrace a culture of respect and equality.

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Wan Smolbag Film

Adding an enduring and powerful emotional layer to the campaign, Wan Smolbag Theatre is collaborating to produce a short narrative film that includes themes around girls’ empowerment, the role of fathers and gender equality.

The film will be released in 2026 and is a key part of the campaign, providing a relatable and impactful medium for discussing these important issues.

As the campaign unfolds, community involvement will be vital.

“The success of the ‘yut rise up’ campaign depends on the active participation of the community,” emphasized Tina Toka, Director of the Department of Women’s Affairs.

“Every voice matters in shaping a future where respect and equality are the norm.”

“We encourage young people and the community to follow and get involved with the ‘yut rise up’ campaign on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and learn more at www.yutriseup.com,” she concluded.