We were truly honoured to host Jane Houng, at our University in Nicosia, on December 2, 2025. Ms Houng is founder of the "Becky’s Button" project, devoting her time in raising awareness about gender-based violence. 

In 2017, Ms Houng’s daughter, Rebecca (Becky), was tragically raped and killed by a taxi driver in Beirut.

From unimaginable grief, Ms Houng founded the Becky’s Button Initiative, channeling her strength into a global movement dedicated to building a safer world for women and ending gender-based violence. The organization empowers women, raises awareness on sexual harassment (online and offline), and makes a real impact by donating “Becky’s Buttons” (personal safety alarms) where needed, that girls and women can carry on them to keep them safe.

During her speech at Frederick University, Jane Houng shared her story, highlighting the need to advocate for prioritizing women’s safety. By collaborating with university students and young leaders, her initiative is inspiring the next generation to take action and create safer communities.

Ms Houng was accompanied by Vana Mghsijerjian, one of the finalists of an initiative launched by Becky’s Buttons in Lebanon this year - the Rebecca Dykes Changemaker Challenge, which called on young people to design initiatives that challenge misogyny and can help create safer communities for women and girls.

We are thankful to Ms Houng for her inspiring work to end gender-based violence.

The event was addressed by Ms Natassa Frederickou, President of the University Council, and Ms Lauren McAlister, a Gender Affairs Officer with the United Nations Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP). The event would not be made possible without her support and collaboration.

The issue of gender-based violence is of deep importance to our University. That’s why each year during the “16 Days of Activism against Violence against Women” (25 Nov.-10 Dec.) we hold events like this one as well as campaigns to raise awareness on sexual and gender-based violence.

Our community's presence to Ms Houng's lecture reflects our shared commitment to learning, engaging, and building a safer, more respectful society.