Safe and inclusive digital spaces for youth.
UNESCO supported the development of 3 new online learning resources to help parents, students, and teachers prevent online gender-based and sexual violence in Montenegro.
As digital technology becomes central in everyday life in Montenegro, concerns about online safety, equality, and well-being are growing. While the internet offers vast opportunities for learning and connection, it has also created new forms of gender-based and sexual violence that disproportionately affect women and girls. Young people are particularly vulnerable, often navigating online environments without sufficient awareness of potential risks or available support.
Montenegro has strengthened its legal and policy frameworks on gender-based violence and digital rights; yet, challenges remain in implementation, reporting, and prevention. Digital literacy gaps also persist, especially in recognising online abuse, practicing safe online behaviour, and understanding legal protections.
In this context, the education sector plays a vital role. Schools, teachers, parents, and students need targeted support to build knowledge, skills, and resilience against online harassment. In response, UNESCO and its partners have developed new digital learning resources to strengthen prevention, awareness, and response to online gender-based and sexual violence.
As part of the international campaign ‘16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence’, conducted between 25 November and 10 December 2025, 3 new digital learning resources were launched in Montenegro. Developed with the support of UNESCO and implemented by NGO Prima, these are available on the national ‘Digionica’ digital learning platform and are tailored specifically for parents, students, and teachers.
Preventing online gender-based and sexual violence requires informed, confident, and engaged adults and young people. These courses provide practical tools that empower families, schools, and students to act together. Siniša Šešum, Head of UNESCO Antenna in Sarajevo
This year’s global campaign theme, ‘Unite to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls’, highlights the urgency of safer online spaces. The new resources provide practical guidance on recognising, preventing, and responding to online gender-based and sexual violence, while promoting more inclusive digital environments.
The first resource, a short educational film for parents, offers clear and concrete advice to parents on identifying warning signs, communicating effectively with their children, and providing timely support.
As digital technology becomes central in everyday life in Montenegro, concerns about online safety, equality, and well-being are growing. While the internet offers vast opportunities for learning and connection, it has also created new forms of gender-based and sexual violence that disproportionately affect women and girls. Young people are particularly vulnerable, often navigating online environments without sufficient awareness of potential risks or available support.
Montenegro has strengthened its legal and policy frameworks on gender-based violence and digital rights; yet, challenges remain in implementation, reporting, and prevention. Digital literacy gaps also persist, especially in recognising online abuse, practicing safe online behaviour, and understanding legal protections.
In this context, the education sector plays a vital role. Schools, teachers, parents, and students need targeted support to build knowledge, skills, and resilience against online harassment. In response, UNESCO and its partners have developed new digital learning resources to strengthen prevention, awareness, and response to online gender-based and sexual violence.
As part of the international campaign ‘16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence’, conducted between 25 November and 10 December 2025, 3 new digital learning resources were launched in Montenegro. Developed with the support of UNESCO and implemented by NGO Prima, these are available on the national ‘Digionica’ digital learning platform and are tailored specifically for parents, students, and teachers.
Preventing online gender-based and sexual violence requires informed, confident, and engaged adults and young people. These courses provide practical tools that empower families, schools, and students to act together. Siniša Šešum, Head of UNESCO Antenna in Sarajevo
This year’s global campaign theme, ‘Unite to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls’, highlights the urgency of safer online spaces. The new resources provide practical guidance on recognising, preventing, and responding to online gender-based and sexual violence, while promoting more inclusive digital environments.
The first resource, a short educational film for parents, offers clear and concrete advice to parents on identifying warning signs, communicating effectively with their children, and providing timely support.
“By tailoring content specifically for parents, students, and teachers, we are addressing online violence from all angles and strengthening collective responsibility for safer digital spaces,”noted Aida Perović, Executive Director of NGO Prima.
The second resource is a digital course for students, equipping them with the skills to navigate online spaces safely, identify risky situations, respond appropriately, and seek help. Complementing this, the digital course for teachers focuses on prevention within schools, offering practical tools to recognise, report, and address online gender-based and sexual violence.
Emphasising the role of education systems, Anđela Jakšić-Stojanović, Minister of Education, Science and Innovation noted that “education plays a crucial role in prevention. These digital resources support schools in responding effectively to online gender-based and sexual violence and in fostering respectful and safe learning environments.”
These activities were implemented within the joint UN project ‘Digital, Inclusive and Transformative: Quality Education for Montenegro’, developed in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation, and implemented by UNESCO, UNICEF, and ILO, with financial support from the Montenegro Acceleration Fund (MAF).
The second resource is a digital course for students, equipping them with the skills to navigate online spaces safely, identify risky situations, respond appropriately, and seek help. Complementing this, the digital course for teachers focuses on prevention within schools, offering practical tools to recognise, report, and address online gender-based and sexual violence.
Emphasising the role of education systems, Anđela Jakšić-Stojanović, Minister of Education, Science and Innovation noted that “education plays a crucial role in prevention. These digital resources support schools in responding effectively to online gender-based and sexual violence and in fostering respectful and safe learning environments.”
These activities were implemented within the joint UN project ‘Digital, Inclusive and Transformative: Quality Education for Montenegro’, developed in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation, and implemented by UNESCO, UNICEF, and ILO, with financial support from the Montenegro Acceleration Fund (MAF).
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