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‘Libertas’ – A cycling community for women in Romania

‘Ride Beyond Silence’ – Tackling Gender based violence & femicide in Romania

Teo Sabina

‘Libertas’ is a simple but hopefully powerful idea, to help in the battle to reduce gender based violence, femicides and coercive behaviour against women in Romania, through the development of a women’s cycling club and a positive community where women can feel empowered, supported and find the space and confidence to ride beyond the silence of their suffering.

Whilst we all live in a modern and supposedly equal world, women in communities all over the globe still suffer in silence, with unacceptable levels of gender based violence, femicides and domestic violence. Here in Romania, gender based violence against women is a problem that is only now being addressed, and which still a long way to go in supporting women and addressing the wider problem within society – that Romanian women are not property and that they can and should be supported through the hidden turmoil they too often suffer at the hands of men.

‘Libertas’ is the Roman Goddess of Freedom & Liberty, and is also Latin for ‘Freedom’, and this project aims to offer all Romanian women a route towards freedom, and a supportive community where they can ride beyond the silence in the company of others, knowing that they can be strong and will be supported on their journey to empowerment.

The ‘Libertas – Ride beyond silence’ project will create a wide geographic cycling programme for women of all ages to meet, ride, gain confidence and to feel supported, as we help them to gain the necessary confidence to take control once more and to change their lives in a positive way. Gender based violence isn’t simply about the physical aspect, either; the mental health aspect through control and coercive behaviour can be traumatic.

Initially, our team based in Romania, plan to set up a series of Libertas rides for women at Sibiu in Transylvania. Hopefully, the success of these rides will inspire others in Romania to set up their own Libertas rides for women.

As the project develops, we want to work in partnership with other national organisations, such as  National Cycling Federation of Romania, and the Romanian Police, so that together, we can develop and signpost women to the right organisations and structures that can offer support to women who suffer gender based violence in our society, and give them a feeling of community and empowerment to report their situation safely –  to find their own ‘Libertas!’

Coming in 2026 – a community cycling club for women in Romania!

‘Libertas – Ride beyond silence ‘

Gender based violence in Romania

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a significant issue in Romania – and elsewhere unfortunately –  with statistics showing high prevalence rates for both physical and sexual violence. While Romania has improved its legislative framework and implemented strategies like the National Strategy for Preventing and Combating Sexual Violence, challenges remain in implementation and changing social attitudes. The country has ratified the Istanbul Convention, and efforts are underway to strengthen the justice system’s response to GBV, including a focus on multidisciplinary collaboration and data collection.

Romania is now tackling gender-based violence (GBV) by implementing focused policies and establishing support structures like the National Agency for Equal Opportunities which created 10 centers for survivors of sexual violence. However, there is still so much more that can be done.

Whilst some efforts are underway to improve law enforcement and judicial responses through training, too many challenges remain in implementation, data collection, and changing societal attitudes. This is where we can all help to force the speed of change and to educate our communities and say the femicides and gender based violence is no longer acceptable – in silence or in any way! It is time for change – time for ‘Libertas’ –  and our rides beyond silence will help in bringing a positive element to those women who are quietly looking for help and support.

The Libertas goals for feminine freedom

The ‘Libertas’ gender based violence project has the following initial goals:

  1. To create a women’s cycling club across Romania that becomes a safe and empowering environment for women to come together and form friendships that develop their confidence;
  2. To set up a series of monthly venues for women only cycling rides, led by qualified ride leaders;
  3.  To work with relevant organisations that can support women who are currently suffering gender based violence, risk of femicide or coercive behaviour, and to help to promote their work, and increase the support for vulnerable women;
  4. To build a greater awareness of femicides and gender based violence across Romania, and to help educate people in the right way;
  5. To work with others to reduce the instances of women suffering femicides and gender based violence and coercive behaviour in our communities.
ALEG can only deliver its expert help with your support. Why not donate and help women to get the services they need – DONATE TO ALEG HERE

Libertas locations for 2026

As we work with partners to develop this project, we will be setting up a series of monthly ‘Libertas – Ride beyond silence’ rides initially at Sibiu in Transylvania, before hopefully growing the project in other locations across Romania. The idea is to create a feeling of community, where women can join the Libertas Community Cycling Club and ride in a positive and welcoming atmosphere, free from pressure and the untold pain and tears of gender based violence – and with the liberty to let themselves enjoy the company of others without fear of judgement or violence.

Libertas is about creating an environment that empowers women in Romania  – and elsewhere – to build confidence and to feel protected and free from the gender based violence and hurtful environments that continue to harm too many women in Romania and around the world. Maybe if this project is successful in Transylvania and Romania, it can work elsewhere – time will tell. From acorns, oak trees grow!

If you’d like to help us and to set up an informal Libertas women’s cycling ride, then let us know!

Survivor support and empowerment

Rebuilding confidence: Learning to cycle can be a powerful experience for survivors, helping them to feel a sense of accomplishment, independence, and pride after a traumatic experience.

Therapeutic benefits: Cycling can provide a sense of freedom and a healthy outlet for stress. It offers a chance to get out of the house, socialize, and reconnect with joy and fun.

Social connection: Group rides and projects in refuges provide a way for survivors to bond with others and build community in a safe and supportive environment.

Empowerment: For some, mastering cycling represents taking back control over their bodies and lives. This can be a step toward regaining a sense of personal power and confidence that may have been lost during an abusive relationship.

Join us at ‘Libertas’ and help us to help women to ride beyond the silence of domestic and family violence. Let’s change small worlds for the better, and in doing so change to world for those women at risk in their everyday lives.

Growing ‘Libertas’ as a global initiative

As spring 2026 arrives, we will start the initial programme of our ‘Libertas – Ride beyond silence’  women’s cycling rides, based at Sibiu, and will be publishing details here on the Pedalnorth website and on social media.

If you would like more details, or would like to start a Libertas ride where you live, and wherever you are in the world, then simply message us here at Pedalnorth. Let’s work together to tackle this important issue and to support women who suffer in silence, in all corners of the world.

A.L.E.G. is a non-governmental organization active since 2004 in the field of preventing and combating violence against women and promoting gender equality.

You can access lots of useful information on the A.L.E.G website about finding help for gender based violence in Romania. CLICK HERE to visit their website

Don’t suffer in silence – you are stronger and more powerful than you imagine. Ride beyond the silence of suffering with Libertas!

ALEG can only deliver its expert help with your support. Why not donate and help women to get the services they need – DONATE TO ALEG HERE

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