Thirty-three young vulnerable entrepreneurs from the RISE project gathered on October 30, 2025, for a training on Gender-Based Violence (GBV), an issue often approached with discomfort, yet deeply embedded in the social, economic, and professional realities of young people in Madagascar.
In partnership with the DRPS and BFP Antsirabe, the session was designed to move beyond definitions. Its objective was clear: strengthen understanding of GBV, highlight its concrete implications, and equip young entrepreneurs with the awareness needed to prevent it, not only in private settings, but also within workplaces and business ecosystems.
Throughout the session, open and facilitated discussions challenged common assumptions and expanded perspectives. Participants examined how GBV intersects with economic vulnerability, power imbalances, and unequal access to opportunities. For many, it was the first time violence was addressed not only as a domestic or social issue, but as a factor that directly influences professional environments, decision-making processes, and entrepreneurial growth.
As conversations deepened, so did the questions: How can victims be supported responsibly? What legal frameworks are in place? What role should witnesses play? And crucially, what responsibilities do employers and business leaders hold in creating safe and respectful workspaces?
One participant captured the spirit of the day:
“The fight against violence is not only a women’s issue. It’s a collective responsibility that starts with our own attitudes.”
This training demonstrated that when awareness is grounded in lived realities, it becomes a catalyst for change. For these young entrepreneurs, access to such dialogue is not only informative, it is empowering. By strengthening their understanding and sense of responsibility, YMCA Madagascar continues to support emerging entrepreneurs who are better equipped to build inclusive, respectful, and resilient economic spaces across Madagascar.
