The No Violence Alliance at AUI published a statement announcing that it’s ceasing its activities as of July 2020, citing a number of structural issues that hindered the organization’s ability to work within the framework of the University.
With the mission of promoting “a strong message that sexual violence and harassment have no place in the AUI community”, NoVA provides victims of physical, psychological, and sexual violence with the necessary support and assistance given Al Akhawayn University’s regulations and the Moroccan legal framework. It also organizes different activities such as awareness campaigns, training, conferences in partnership with student organizations.
According to the statement, a lack of “follow-through” by the university’s top management concerning the Sexual Harassment Adjudication Council recommendations, the lack of institutional support as well as the lack of human resources are the main reasons why NoVA is suspending its activities. The statement also mentioned that the volunteer-based model of running NoVA (NoVA is composed of volunteering staff, faculty and students) is not sustainable for the well functioning of the organization. NoVA invites the AUI community to open the debate about the future of anti-violence in AUI, in the context of the lack of institutional support and the failure of the current model.
