He for She: Raising Awareness Through Public Engagement and Cultural Celebration

He for She was an Erasmus+ Youth Exchange project organized by Artemis Women's Power MTÜ under project number 2023-1-EE01-KA152-YOU-000113609. The project took place in Saaremaa, Estonia, from 9 December to 16 December 2023, bringing together participants from Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Romania, and Turkey. Through public awareness activities, intercultural cooperation, and non-formal learning methods, the project aimed to promote gender equality, combat stereotypes, and encourage young people to become active contributors to more inclusive societies.

Participants collaborated to prepare a public festival designed to engage both local residents and international participants. Working together to organize activity areas, information stands, technical equipment, and event logistics strengthened their teamwork, communication, and organizational skills. By sharing responsibilities and supporting one another, participants experienced the importance of cooperation and learned how effective planning contributes to the success of large-scale community events.

An important educational element of the programme was the public performance of the pantomime "To Be Maria," inspired by the life of Maria de Lourdes Pintasilgo. Through creative storytelling, participants and local audiences reflected on the achievements of women when equal opportunities are provided. The performance encouraged discussions about gender equality, challenged traditional stereotypes, and demonstrated how artistic methods can communicate powerful social messages in an engaging and memorable way.

The festival titled "Genders Have No Role" transformed learning into active community participation. Visitors joined interactive games, sports activities, dance performances, and awareness-raising events that highlighted equality regardless of gender. Participants managed different festival responsibilities, promoted the Erasmus+ Programme, and interacted with local people, gaining valuable experience in leadership, teamwork, event management, and public communication while encouraging intercultural dialogue and social inclusion.

Reflection activities allowed participants to evaluate their personal development and identify how the knowledge and skills gained could be applied beyond the project. Leader meetings supported continuous improvement through collaborative problem-solving, while the Bulgarian Cultural Night celebrated national traditions, music, dance, language, and cuisine. Together, these experiences strengthened intercultural understanding, reduced prejudices, and reinforced the project's vision of building a society based on equality, cooperation, and mutual respect.