On 19 March 2026, an event organized by the GenderSAFE project titled “A Safer ERA: Strengthening National Frameworks Against Gender-Based Violence” took place in Brussels, to present new findings on national policies on gender-based violence in research and higher education. It brought together representatives from European institutions, national authorities and ministries, research and higher education organisations, and other stakeholders.

Opening: A shared commitment to safe research environments

The event was opened by Maria Pilar Aguar Fernández (Director of Directorate D People: Health & Society, European Commission ), who underlined that addressing gender-based violence in research and higher education is not only a matter of justice, but a prerequisite for excellence in the European Research Area. She stressed that tackling gender-based violence requires coordinated action across the entire research and innovation ecosystem, including European institutions, national authorities and research organisations.

She highlighted the adoption of the Zero-Tolerance Code of Conduct as an important milestone at European level and noted the role of EU-funded projects, including GenderSAFE, in supporting progress by providing evidence, tools and opportunities for mutual learning. At the same time, she emphasised that real change must take place at national and institutional levels, and that understanding how countries address gender-based violence in their national frameworks is crucial for strengthening future action.

In this context, the GenderSAFE national policy mapping was presented as an important contribution, providing a picture of how national frameworks addressing gender-based violence are evolving across Europe. The insights generated through this work are expected to inform upcoming EU initiatives, including the future ERA Act and the Action Plan on Women in Research and Innovation.

In conclusion, Ms Aguar Fernández reiterated that progress towards excellence in the European Research Area depends on ensuring safe working conditions for all researchers, and that the common objective remains a research environment where “the people doing research, whoever they are, wherever they are, can do their work in an environment that is free from violence and free from discrimination.”

ERA policy context: A strengthening EU framework

Marcela Linková introduced the policy context for the event and the rationale for the GenderSAFE national mapping. She recalled that the UniSAFE project provided the first large-scale evidence on gender-based violence in research and higher education, showing that the problem is widespread and that institutional responses are often fragmented and insufficient.

She outlined recent developments at European level, including the 2021 Ljubljana Declaration on Gender Equality in Research and Innovation, the ERA Policy Agenda and the adoption of the Zero Tolerance Code of Conduct in 2024, which establishes a common framework for addressing gender-based violence through the three pillars of Commitment, Action and Accountability, building on the UniSAFE 7P framework.

In this context, the objective of the GenderSAFE national mapping was to analyse how countries address gender-based violence in their policy frameworks, assess how they align with the Zero-Tolerance Code of Conduct, identify gaps and support further coordination at European level. The mapping confirms that policy activity is increasing across Europe, but that national approaches remain diverse, and that the pillars of Commitment and Accountability are especially underdeveloped.

National policy mapping: An uneven landscape

Anastasia Bogoslavets, one of the report’s authors, presented the main patterns of policy development across eighteen countries that participated in the monitoring study. With indicators structured along the three pillars of Commitment, Action and Accountability, Ms Bogoslavets walked the audience through the results across participating countries.

Several key findings were highlighted:

• 15 out of 27 EU countries responded to the GenderSAFE survey, and although not all countries are included, the evidence suggests that only a limited number of additional countries have dedicated policies in this area.
• The policy landscape is strongly heterogeneous, with policies dedicated to the domain of higher education and research tending to be more comprehensive, while general policy instruments often lack specific actions focused on higher education and research.
• The Accountability pillar remains underdeveloped, with weak monitoring, enforcement and follow-up mechanisms, limiting the effective implementation of policy commitments and actions.
• The Commitment pillar is the least developed, pointing to gaps in the explicit recognition of gender-based violence in national policy frameworks as a systemic, intersectional issue that requires victim-centred and trauma-informed approaches.

These findings underline the need for more coherent policy design and continued coordination at European level to support the development of comprehensive national frameworks.

The Institutional Self-Assessment Tool for institutional reflection

Yellow Window’s Lut Mergaert presented the GenderSAFE Institutional Self-Assessment Tool, designed as a developmental self-assessment instrument that helps institutions identify strengths and gaps in their current policies and procedures and supports further institutional development. The tool is intended as a reflective rather than compliance-driven exercise, enabling institutions to take stock of their current approach, including where policies and procedures may be unevenly developed or not fully aligned across the institution.

The Tool is structured around seven impact drivers and eighteen indicators. The assessment allows institutions to evaluate their level of development across six stages of institutionalisation and generates a report with tailored feedback and recommendations. These drivers and indicators cover key dimensions of institutional response and support the identification of priority areas for further action, while the staged model provides a clear framework for understanding progress over time.

Available online, the tool is intended to be completed by a small group within the institution and can be used to support internal reflection, strategic planning and monitoring of progress over time. Completing the tool as a group exercise can strengthen cross-institutional dialogue and help align different actors, while also providing a baseline for tracking progress and continuous improvement.

Round Table: Recent national developments and their drivers

The round table discussion brought together Raffaela Ebersteiner (Federal Ministry Women, Science and Research, Austria), Jennie Rothwell (Higher Education Authority, Ireland), Magdalena Chrobak-Tatara (Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Poland) and Maria Bustelo (Ministry of Science, Innovation & Universities, Spain) to reflect on recent developments in national approaches to addressing gender-based violence in research and higher education. The discussion focused on recent policy developments and their enablers, cooperation with institutions, the role of EU-level coordination, and priorities for ensuring sustained implementation in the coming years.

Recent national developments and their drivers

Panellists highlighted a range of recent developments at national level, reflecting different approaches and stages of policy advancement.

In Poland, a new anti-discrimination package announced in 2026 introduces measures such as mandatory training, codes of ethics, gender equality plans and the establishment of an academic ombudsperson, following recommendations from advisory bodies and input from the academic community.

Austria has advanced through a strong evidence-led process: a national “status quo” survey based on the UniSAFE 7P framework mapped existing measures across HEIs and R&I, identifying gaps and variability in practice. The results are now being integrated into national action plans and are informing the development of a new policy framework, with a stakeholder working group convening to build shared understandings and approaches. Enablers included robust data, political will and a window of opportunity, and the ability to link ERA-level developments to national policy debate. Ireland is currently revising its national framework Safe, Respectful, Supportive and Positive (2019) including dedicated funding for response staff, national surveys and strengthened monitoring. The revised framework includes 12 updated actions and places greater emphasis on prevention, safety measures and institutional transparency. Emerging challenges such as stalking, cyber-harassment and mobile serial perpetration are being addressed more explicitly in the next cycle.

Spain presented a long-standing legislative approach based on mandatory institutional protocols, reinforced through updated legislation and extended coverage. At the same time, limitations in implementation were noted, including challenges related to formal procedures, under-reporting and the need for more flexible and victim-centred approaches.

Across the discussion, several enabling factors were identified, including strong evidence bases, political commitment, and sustained engagement with stakeholders. A shift in framing was also highlighted, with increasing recognition that institutions should be evaluated not by the absence of cases, but by how they respond to them.

Cooperation with institutions in practice

Panellists highlighted different models of cooperation between national authorities and higher education and research organisations, reflecting national governance structures and policy approaches.

In Ireland, cooperation is based on a strong tradition of consultation with the higher education sector. Policy development and revision are carried out through expert groups involving institutional leadership, response staff, students and other stakeholders. Monitoring is developed in collaboration with institutions, including through annual governance statements and self-assessment against the national framework, supported by a community of practice of institutional response managers.

In Austria, cooperation is structured through the ERA National Action Plan, which translates European Research Area priorities into national measures. Policy development is carried out with broad stakeholder involvement, and dedicated working groups are being established to develop shared definitions, common standards and coordinated implementation mechanisms across the sector.

In Spain, cooperation takes place within a decentralised system, with the ministry acting as a coordinating and mediating body. This includes technical networks of equality units, coordination with institutional leadership through the conference of rectors, and engagement with a wider ecosystem of actors, including the accreditation agency, the national research funder and research organisations.

In Poland, cooperation focuses on advisory bodies, consultations and practical support measures. The ministry supports training programmes, institutional projects and awareness-raising initiatives, including targeted activities to build capacity and support institutions in addressing gender-based violence in practice. A GEP monitoring study also created space for institutions to reflect on implementation barriers and the wellbeing of equality officers.

Across all cases, cooperation was identified as essential for ensuring that policies are not only developed at national level, but effectively implemented within institutions.

EU coordination as a key enabler

There was a strong agreement among the panellists that EU-level coordination played an important enabling role  even if many national policies have developed in parallel to EU initiatives.

Across countries, the ERA Policy Agenda and the Zero-Tolerance Code of Conduct were highlighted as providing a shared political framework and common reference point, helping to strengthen national arguments and position gender-based violence as a systemic issue at European level.

EU-level data and research, particularly through projects such as UniSAFE, were also identified as important in making gender-based violence visible and comparable across countries, reinforcing the need for action.

In several countries, the gender equality plan (GEP) eligibility criterion in Horizon Europe was highlighted as a key driver of institutional change, encouraging the development and implementation of policies.

Also, EU-level collaboration, including through projects and communities of practice, was seen as valuable for mutual learning, exchange of practices and benchmarking progress across countries.

Finally, EU coordination strengthens the case for sustained action and helps resist policy weakening by anchoring national progress in wider ERA commitments.

Priorities for sustaining implementation

In the final round, panellists identified key priorities for the next 12–18 months to support sustained implementation of policies addressing gender-based violence.

Several speakers emphasised the need to strengthen monitoring and evaluation, as well as to move beyond existing policy instruments towards more comprehensive approaches. Ensuring long-term sustainability and preventing policy backsliding were also highlighted as key challenges.

At national level, priorities include translating existing evidence and policy commitments into concrete measures, strengthening cooperation with stakeholders, and continuing the implementation of recent policy initiatives.

In Austria, the immediate priority is to translate the national survey results into clear commitments, shared definitions and minimum standards, moving to coordinated implementation mechanisms that reduce fragmentation and dependence on individual actors. Building a shared understanding of gender-based violence across the sector is a practical next step. This is framed as essential to ensuring consistency in reporting, support structures and institutional expectations across the system.

Spain, in turn, prioritises strengthening monitoring of implementation and evaluating the effectiveness of existing protocols in practice. A key next step is to move beyond protocol-based approaches towards broader action plans that address gaps and limitations in current instruments.

In Ireland, the focus is on strengthening prevention and response capacity, alongside clearer monitoring tools and institutional transparency.

At EU level, panellists pointed to the importance of continued coordination and support, including through the forthcoming ERA Act, as well as stronger collaboration on specific approaches such as trauma-informed responses.

Audience discussion and cross-cutting challenges

The audience discussion raised a number of cross-cutting issues related to the implementation of policies addressing gender-based violence. Questions focused in particular on terminology, the transferability of tools, and the integration of approaches such as victim-centred and trauma-informed responses.

Participants also highlighted broader structural challenges, including data gaps, uneven political will, and the risk of policy backsliding in changing political and funding contexts. The importance of accountability, both at institutional and leadership level, was emphasised throughout the discussion.

Several contributions pointed to the role of EU-level instruments and collaboration in supporting progress, including through shared standards, funding requirements and opportunities for mutual learning. At the same time, participants stressed the need to embed responsibility within institutions and to strengthen partnerships across stakeholders, including students and civil society.

Closing: Looking ahead in the ERA

In her closing remarks, Marcela Linková reflected on the discussion and situated it within the broader trajectory of the GenderSAFE project and ongoing developments at European level. She highlighted the key outputs of the project, including the Institutional Self-Assessment Tool, the training programme and the Model Policy Framework, and noted their role in supporting institutions in strengthening their responses to gender-based violence.

Looking ahead, she emphasised that the coming period represents an important policy juncture in the European Research Area, with several key policy initiatives under development. In particular, she pointed to the ERA Act, the forthcoming Action Plan on Women in Research, Innovation and Start-ups, and the preparation of the next Framework Programme (Horizon Europe 2028–2034) as critical opportunities to further advance this agenda.

She closed by inviting participants to remain engaged in this work, including through upcoming project activities and the final GenderSAFE conference in January 2027.

Advancing intersectional equality in research and innovation

On the occasion of International Women’s Day 2026, EU-funded sister projects INSPIRE, GenderSAFE, INCLUDE, SEE-ERA, and STREAM IT working to advance gender equality in research and innovation come together to highlight a shared message:  

Inequality is not random. It is structural and intersectional.  

Across Europe’s research and innovation ecosystems, inequalities do not operate in isolation. When gender intersects with migration status, disability, ethnicity, contract type or employment status, care responsibilities, sexual orientation and gender identity, vulnerability increases exponentially. These patterns do not occur by accident; they reflect unjust systemic issues and structures of power.  

Evidence from European research consistently shows that minoritized groups face higher risks of economic insecurity, exclusion, and gender-based violence. Structural barriers influence who progresses in academic careers, whose research is funded, whose voices are cited, and who feels safe to report misconduct.  

What’s more, we are now witnessing attacks on women’s rights and safety across the world –  yet another example of gendered vulnerability that is shaped by intersecting and structural inequalities.  

Therefore, recognising intersectionality is not merely a symbolic gesture, but an evidence-based approach to designing effective institutional policies and creating better futures for the next generation of girls around the globe.  

This International Women’s Day, we reaffirm our commitment to: 

• Strengthening inclusive and intersectional Gender Equality Plans 

• Promoting transparent and fair career progression systems 

• Implementing robust policies to combat gender-based violence 

• Ensuring safe reporting mechanisms and accountability structures 

Research excellence requires inclusive institutions. Structural problems require structural solutions. 

By collaborating across projects and countries, we aim to advance sustainable change in research and innovation systems across Europe. Because equity strengthens science, and inclusion drives excellence.  

5 May 2026, 14:30 – 17:30, Vienna, Austria

Central European University (CEU)
Free of charge, upon registration

About the training

How we respond when we witness harmful behaviour matters. Active bystander intervention is a key prevention strategy for addressing gender-based violence in higher education and research settings. 

This onsite training equips participants with the knowledge, skills and confidence to recognise gender-based violence and intervene safely and effectively. Drawing on evidence-based approaches and interactive methods, the session supports participants in understanding their role as bystanders and taking responsible action within their academic and professional environments. The training combines short inputs with group discussion, scenario-based exercises and role play allowing participants to practice concrete intervention strategies in a supportive and safe learning space. 

Learning objectives

By the end of the training, participants will be able to: 

• Identify and articulate different forms of gender-based violence
• Understand the role, responsibility and impact of bystanders
• Recognise situations where bystander intervention is appropriate
• Apply the 5D intervention model (Distract, Delegate, Document, Delay, Direct), developed by Right To Be 

Who is it for?

• Gender equality officers/focal points/equality and diversity officers
• Human Resources officers
• Ombudspersons
• Gender Equality Plan team members
• Health and safety officers
• Heads of Department/Unit in charge or involved in policy development on gender-based violence
• Students 
• Anyone working or studying in higher education or research organisations who wishes to act as an active bystander and contribute to the prevention of gender-based violence 

The training is addressed to those at the beginning stages of creating and implementing a policy framework to address gender-based violence in academia.  As seats are limited, priority will be given to individuals at the initial stages of developing and implementing policy to address gender-based violence within their institution and correspond to the profile of participants. Preference will be given to individuals from countries participating in Horizon Europe, with special consideration for registrants from ‘Widening countries’ as defined by the European Commission. We kindly ask for your understanding as we strive to include a diverse range of participants. 

Facilitators

Ana Brandl is the Gender Equality and Diversity Officer at Central European University (Vienna, Austria) since 2018. Her main responsibility is the design, implementation, and monitoring of CEU’s Gender Equality Plans. She has participated in several EU-funded projects on gender in higher education and research, such as SUPERA (Supporting the Promotion of Equality in Research and Academia) and Gender Equality Academy, and currently leads the CEU team in GenderSAFE. She holds an Erasmus Mundus Master’s Degree in Women’s and Gender Studies (CEU and University of Oviedo, 2017) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Clinical Psychology (University of Buenos Aires, 2008). 

Diana Puerto Michaut is a lawyer and Legal Circle Facilitator in GenderSAFE at Central European University, where she supports participants in developing and enhancing gender-based violence policies within their institutions. She has also worked extensively as a trainer, delivering capacity-building sessions on sexual education, gender identity, and HIV/AIDS for health practitioners and students. She has further delivered trainings on gender-based violence in academia in both English and Spanish. Diana holds an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degree in Women’s and Gender Studies (CEU & University of Oviedo, 2023).  

GenderSAFE Launch Event:

A Safer ERA:
Strengthening National Frameworks
Against Gender-Based Violence

19 March 2026, 10:00 – 13:00 CET

CEPS Conference Room, Place du Congrès 1, 1000 Brussels

Meet our Speakers!

Dr Marcela Linková is Head of the Centre for Gender and Science at the Institute of Sociology of the Czech Academy of Sciences. Her work spans research, support activities and advocacy. Her research focuses on the sociology of gendered organisations and institutional change, gender-based violence in academia, governance of research, and public policies for gender equality in R&I. Marcela is the Member State Co-Chair of the ERA Forum Sub-group on Inclusive Gender Equality and between 2017 and 2021 she was the chair of the ERAC Standing Working Group on Gender in Research and Innovation. She has been the coordinator of EU-funded projects (Horizon Europe GENDERACTIONplus, Horizon 2020 GENDERACTION) and a partner in other EU-funded projects (GE Academy, Gender-SMART, CASPER, UniSAFE and currently GenderSAFE).

Anastasia Bogoslavets works at the Centre for Gender and Science at the Institute of Sociology of the Czech Academy of Sciences. She contributes to the EU-funded GenderSAFE project, where she supports the development and implementation of the national monitoring methodology on gender-based violence in higher education and research across EU Member States and Associated Countries. She is involved in data collection, comparative policy analysis, and the presentation of EU-level monitoring results. She holds a degree in Sociology from the Faculty of Social Sciences at Charles University and is currently pursuing her master’s studies.

Dr Lut Mergaert is Research Director and Senior Consultant at Yellow Window (Antwerp, Belgium). She has been the Principal Investigator and coordinator of numerous policy support studies on gender equality and has served as expert for the European Commission, the European Institute for Gender Equality, the European Parliament, the Council of Europe, UN Women, and others. She holds a PhD in Management Sciences from Radboud University Nijmegen (NL). Gender mainstreaming in research, and the adoption and implementation of gender equality policies more broadly, are her main research interests, on which she has published articles and book chapters. In recent years, she has been involved in several Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe projects focusing on structural change for gender equality. She was part of the UniSAFE project and is now one of the two scientific coordinators of GenderSAFE.

Raffaela Ebersteiner works in policy development at the Austrian Federal Ministry of Women, Science and Research in Vienna, focusing on gender equality and diversity in higher education and research. She represents the ministry in national and international working groups (including the ERA Forum subgroup on inclusive gender equality) and supports the implementation of diversity-oriented equality measures. Previously, she worked in science communication and cultural affairs at the ministry and as Assistant to the Rector at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz. In addition, she gained experience at the Austrian Cultural Forum in Berlin and the Documentation Centre of Austrian Resistance. She holds Master’s degrees in Austrian Studies and Media and Communication Studies from the University of Vienna.

Jennie Rothwell is the Senior Manager of the Centre of Excellence for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the Higher Education Authority in Ireland. The HEA’s Centre of Excellence was established to ensure sustainable acceleration towards gender equality in Irish HEIs by providing centralised support for institutions, sharing of good practice, and funding for innovative organisational and cultural change initiatives nationally.  As part of this work, the Centre oversees the implementation of the Ending Sexual Violence and Harassment Framework for higher education institutions in Ireland.

Magdalena Chrobak-Tatara is a civil servant working as Counsellor at the Department of International Cooperation at the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education. Magda works at the European Union Unit where she coordinates preparation of Polish position to the Competitiveness Council and Research Working Party meetings in the area of research. Magda was a member of the Polish Presidency corps that steered the work of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2025 and was involved in the negotiations of the European Research Area Policy Agenda for the years 2025-2027. Magda is Poland’s delegate to the ERA Forum subgroup on inclusive gender equality and an alternate delegate to ERA Forum. She took part in the GENDERACTIONplus Horizon Europe project where she co-authored benchmarking analysis of the of the Gender Equality Plan requirement at the national/regional level in R&I.

Dr. María Bustelo is Associate Professor of Political Science and Public Administration, co-directs GEYPO “Gender & Politics”, and is the Director of the Master on Evaluation of Programmes and Public Policies at Complutense University of Madrid (UCM). Among other National and European research projects, she was the European coordinator of the Horizon 2020 SUPERA project 2018-2022, and PI at UCM of UniSAFE 2021-2024. From January 2026 she is the director of the Women & Science Unit at the Spanish Ministries of Science, Innovation & Universities and Universities.

Dr. Marta Dell’Aquila is Researcher in the Unit of Global Governance, Regulation, Innovation and the Digital Economy (GRID) at the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS) where she leads the research workstream on gender equality and mainstreaming in EU research and innovation (R&I). She holds a Post-Doctorate from the Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics of Tel Aviv University and a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, specialising in Political and Feminist Philosophy. Her academic work focused mainly on intersectionality, decolonial theories and the care economy, and she has published articles and book chapters in these areas. In addition to her academic background, she has also worked in public policy, specialising in gender policy and participatory democracy. Her work covers political participation, institutional mechanisms such as gender mainstreaming and the intersectional dimensions of gender equality.

GenderSAFE Webinar:

Rethinking Data Protection in Academia:
A Path Toward Privacy and Accountability
in Gender-Based Violence Cases

 with Dr. Tommaso Soave, in conversation with Diana Puerto Michaut

17 February 2026, 15:00-16:30 CET 

TRAINING

Addressing gender-based violence

against trans and non-binary people
in universities and research organisations

19 March 2026 | 13.00 – 15.00 CET
online

***Thank you for your strong interest in this training! Registration has now reached full capacity. If you have registered but can no longer attend, kindly let us know at training@gendersafe.eu.***

This online training explores gender-based violence in academic contexts with a focus on the experiences of trans and non-binary people. Building on UniSAFE’s research and the concept of the continuum of violence, the session examines how cisnormativity and the gender binary shape exposure to violence, discrimination and exclusion in universities and research organisations. 

Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how gender-based violence intersects with multiple identities, drawing on intersectionality as an analytical tool. The training also introduces practical approaches to creating a safer and more inclusive environment, including techniques for responding to offensive comments and behaviours in academic settings. 

Participants are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the legal and institutional policy frameworks governing gender-based violence in their national context before the training. 

Learning objectives

• By the end of the training, participants will be able to: 
• Gain a common understanding of gender-based violence with a focus on the continuum of violence and its implications in university settings
• Understand cisnormativity and the gender binary as structural factors shaping gender-based violence against trans and non-binary people
• Explore the relevance of intersectionality for analysing experiences of violence and discrimination in academia
• Reflect on ways to foster inclusive, safe and equitable institutional environments

Who is it for?

• Educators and teaching staff 
• Gender equality officers/focal points, equality and/or diversity officers 
• Human resources officers 
• Gender Equality Plan implementation teams 
• Health and safety officers 
• Heads of departments/units involved in gender-based violence policies 
• Trainers working on gender-based violence in academic settings 

This training is particularly relevant for professionals who are at the early stages of creating or implementing an institutional policy framework to address gender-based violence in academia.  

As seats are limited, priority will be given to individuals at the initial stages of developing and implementing policy to address gender-based violence within their institution and correspond to the profile of participants. Preference will be given to individuals from countries participating in Horizon Europe, with special consideration for registrants from ‘Widening countries’ as defined by the European Commission. We kindly ask for your understanding as we strive to include a diverse range of participants. 

Introducing the trainers 

Chisato Namatsu holds an MA in Gender Studies from the University of Gothenburg. Their research focuses on the lived experiences of trans and non-binary people. Based on in-depth interviews with ten non-binary individuals in Japan, their master’s thesis explored how non-binary people navigate a cisnormative, binary gendered society. In 2024, Chisato participated in the GenderSAFE project as an intern, as part of which they developed this training. 

Anne Laure Humbert, PhD, is a researcher at the University of Gothenburg. Anne is very experienced in gender equality research at national, EU and international level, policy analysis and assessment as well as gender statistics. She has a significant track record of working on gender structural change in organisations, with recent Horizon 2020 projects looking at implementing gender equality plans in universities across Europe (GEARING-Roles); assessing the feasibility of an award/certification system for gender equality in Europe (CASPER); and measuring and addressing gender-based violence in higher education in Europe (UniSAFE, GenderSAFE).   

While many institutions adopt policies against gender-based violence, too often they lack the structures, resources, or monitoring mechanisms to ensure these policies are effective in practice. The result is a persistent gap between formal commitments and the lived realities of staff and students. The GenderSAFE Institutional Assessment Tool provides a structured framework to evaluate an organisation’s capacity and progress in addressing gender-based violence and supports institutions in adopting coherent, sustainable strategies across prevention, protection, provision of services, prosecution, partnerships, and policy (7P model). 

What will you find?

Explore how this tool can turn reflection into action. You’ll learn how the self-assessment is structured, what kind of tailored feedback institutions receive, tips and advice on completing the assessment, and how repeating the exercise over time can support meaningful development and inform policy cycles. Universities that have already tested the tool will share their experience, offering practical insight into its usefulness, added value and next steps. 

The session brought together those involved in the development and early testing of the tool: Marcela Linková (Czech Academy of Sciences), Panagiota Polykarpou (Yellow Window), Iveta Bayerová (Charles University) and Rachel Payne & Jennifer Kirman (Oxford Brookes University). Their reflections will illustrate how self-assessment can become a practical driver for institutional learning and sustainable change. 

Who is it for?

• Gender equality officers/focal points, equality and/or diversity officers 

• Human resources officers 

• Gender equality plan implementing teams 

• Health and safety officers 

• Ombudspersons 

• Head of Departments/Units in charge or involved in gender-based violence 

• Trainers on the topic of gender-based violence in academic settings 

• Students interested in policy implementation 

The training is designed for anyone interested in or working with anti-discrimination and equality structures in higher education and research institutions.   

Speakers

Iveta Bayerová is the Equal Opportunities Agenda Coordinator at Charles University and Secretary of the Equal Opportunities Board, an advisory body to the Rector on equality, diversity, and inclusion. She is a third-year PhD candidate in Applied Ethics at the Faculty of Humanities, where her research connects care ethics with strategies for fostering inclusive gender equality and transforming academic culture. She is the Vice-Chair of the Coimbra Group’s Equality and Diversity Working Group and co-represents it in the ERA Forum Subgroup on Inclusive Gender Equality. 

Marcela Linková PhD is Head of the Centre for Gender and Science at the Institute of Sociology of the Czech Academy of Sciences. Her work spans research, support activities and advocacy. Her research focuses on the sociology of gendered organisations and institutional change, gender-based violence in academia, governance of research, and public policies for gender equality in R&I. Marcela is the Member State Co-Chair of the ERA Forum Sub-group on Inclusive Gender Equality. She has been the coordinator of EU-funded projects GENDERACTION and GENDERACTIONplus) and participated a number of other EU-funded projects including GE Academy, Gender-SMART, CASPER, UniSAFE and currently GenderSAFE. 

Jennifer (Jen) Kirman is an adult nurse, midwife and health visitor by professional background. Jen is an Associate Professor at Oxford Brookes and leads an annual interprofessional conference for Brookes students and staff on violence against women and girls. She is the co-founder and co-chair of the university’s Gender-Based Violence Advisory Group. 

Panagiota Polykarpou is a Consultant for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion with a background in business management and social innovation, specialising in supporting European Research and Innovation projects. 

Rachel Payne is an art and design educator by professional background, having worked in teacher training, undergraduate and postgraduate levels of Education. Rachel is an Associate Professor and Deputy Head (Education and Student Experience) at Oxford Brookes and initiated the Sexual Consent Education prevention programme. She is the co-founder and co-chair of the university’s Gender-Based Violence Advisory Group. 

GenderSAFE Webinar:

Rethinking Data Protection in Academia:
A Path Toward Privacy and Accountability
in Gender-Based Violence Cases

 with Dr. Tommaso Soave, in conversation with Diana Puerto Michaut

17 February 2026, 15:00-16:30 CET 

Formação introdutória sobre violência baseada no género no meio académico e o modelo das 7P 

 10 de fevereiro de 2026, das 09h30 às 15h00 (hora de Portugal) 

Língua da formação: português 

***Thank you for your strong interest in this training! Registration has now reached full capacity. If you have registered but can no longer attend, kindly let us know at training@gendersafe.eu.***

Esta formação aborda a problemática da violência baseada no género no meio académico, com enfoque no modelo das 7P desenvolvido pelo projeto UniSAFE: Prevalência, Prevenção, Proteção, Punição, Prestação de serviços, Parcerias e Políticas. 

Ao longo da sessão, as pessoas participantes terão oportunidade de conhecer os principais enquadramentos e prioridades das políticas europeias para o combate à violência baseada no género na investigação e no ensino superior, bem como de identificar exemplos concretos e inspiradores já implementados em diferentes instituições europeias. 

Recomenda-se que as pessoas participantes se familiarizem previamente com as políticas institucionais das suas próprias organizações. 

Objetivos de aprendizagem

• Adquirir uma compreensão comum dos principais conceitos relacionados com a violência baseada no género e compreender o seu impacto no meio académico. 

• Conhecer a prevalência da violência baseada no género no campo da investigação e identificar as suas características específicas. 

• Entender o modelo das 7P do projeto UniSAFE — Prevalência, Prevenção, Proteção, Punição, Prestação de serviços, Parcerias e Políticas — que representa uma abordagem holística para enfrentar a violência baseada no género em instituições de ensino superior e centros de investigação. 

• Identificar boas práticas inspiradoras para a criação e implementação de políticas institucionais destinadas a prevenir e responder à violência baseada no género, com base em experiências de instituições europeias de ensino superior e centros de investigação e dos Estados-Membros no âmbito do modelo das 7P. 

Público-alvo

• Responsáveis de unidades/pontos focais de igualdade e/ou diversidade 

• Equipas de recursos humanos 

• Equipas de implementação de Planos de Igualdade de Género 

• Responsáveis de saúde e segurança no trabalho 

• Direções de departamentos/unidades com responsabilidades ou envolvimento em temas de violência baseada no género 

• Equipas de formação que trabalhem temáticas de igualdade, diversidade e/ou violencia baseada no género no contexto académico 

Esta formação destina-se sobretudo a pessoas e equipas que se encontram nas fases iniciais de criação e implementação de políticas institucionais para enfrentar a violência baseada no género no meio académico. Dado o número limitado de vagas, será dada prioridade a participantes que se encontrem nas fases iniciais de desenvolvimento e implementação de políticas sobre esta matéria nas suas instituições e que correspondam ao perfil indicado. Terão preferencia participantes provenientes de países que integram o Horizonte Europa, com especial atenção aos países abrangidos pela iniciativa “Widening” da Comissão Europeia. Agradecemos a compreensão, pois procuramos garantir uma diversidade de perfis e de contextos institucionais entre as pessoas participantes. 

Conheça a formadora

Fernanda Campanini é doutorada em Direitos Humanos pela Universidade de Deusto (Espanha) e especialista em transformação institucional e Planos de Igualdade de Género. Fez parte da equipa de coordenação do projeto europeu GEARING-Roles e da Unidade de Responsabilidade Social Universitária da Universidade de Deusto. Atualmente, trabalha como consultora e investigadora em igualdade de género e violência baseada no género na Fundação EDE (Bilbao), onde presta assessoria técnica a organismos da administração pública e a entidades privadas na elaboração e implementação de políticas igualdade. 

 “Overlooked – challenges and strategies in reporting intersectional cases of gender-based violence.”

With Dr. Bontu Lucie Guschke in conversation with Sara Hassan

11 December 2025, 13:00 – 14:30 CET

Watch this webinar with Dr. Bontu Lucie Guschke, researcher and speaker on diversity and anti-discrimination. What does it mean to account for intersectional cases of gender-based violence in higher education reporting systems? 

This webinar delves into why cases of gender-based violence in academia often remain invisible, unspeakable and un(der)reported especially when they intersect with other forms of discrimination. Drawing on research and practice, Dr. Bontu Guschke unpacks how different barriers hinder reporting, while also highlighting strategies for more inclusive, transparent and intersectionally informed reporting systems.  In conversation with trainer and educator Sara Hassan, Dr. Guschke offers critical insights and practical recommendations for creating safer, more responsive institutional environments. 

 Learning objectives

• Gain a common understanding of the nature of intersectional experiences of gender-based violence and how current institutional reporting mechanisms fail to account for them 

• Get insight into the key-lessons of research on more inclusive reporting systems 

• Tuning in on a conversation on what is necessary to design reporting processes that are reflecting different forms of discrimination and recognize early instances of gender-based violence in all its forms 

Who is it for?

• Gender equality officers/focal points, equality and/or diversity officers  

• Human resources officers  

• Gender equality plan implementing teams  

• Health and safety officers  

• Head of Departments/Units in charge or involved in gender-based violence 

• Trainers on the topic of gender-based violence in academic settings   

• Students interested in policy implementation 

 The training is designed for anyone interested in or working with anti-discrimination and equality structures in higher education.  

Resources

Introducing the panel

Dr. Bontu Lucie Guschke (she/her) is a consultant, researcher, facilitator, and speaker on diversity and anti-discrimination. She earned her PhD at Copenhagen Business School, researching the persistence of sexism and racism at universities. Her research has been published in international peer-reviewed journals and she is an editor for Femina Politica and Women, Gender and Research. As a consultant, facilitator, and speaker, she works with organizations to develop diverse and inclusive work environments. https://www.bontu-guschke.com/en 

 Sara Hassan (they/them) is a writer, trainer, and moderator working on power abuse with an intersectional perspective.  Originally trained as a journalist, Sara worked in the field of political communication, including in the European Parliament. Their work on gender justice turned into a book about power abuse, It’s not that grey, to identify early warning signs of harassment. Sara got their Master’s degree at New York University as a Fulbright Austria scholar. Today, Sara works as a consultant with various international organizations to create more equitable workplaces and gives lectures on abuse of power abuse.