New Resource: A Strategic Guide to Tackling Resistance to Gender-Based Violence Policies
Gender-based violence remains a deeply rooted issue across European research and higher education institutions. While awareness is growing, implementing effective institutional responses still faces resistance. To support those leading change, GenderSAFE has developed a new resource: “Strategic Framing to Tackle Resistance to Change: Addressing Gender-Based Violence in Research and Academia.”
This practical guide is designed to empower change agents in research and higher education institutions, whether they are delivering training, preparing for policy dialogue, drafting a strategy, or engaging in everyday advocacy within the institution.
Informed by lessons from the GenderSAFE project, the UniSAFE toolkit, and insights from participatory workshops across Europe, the guide draws on the principles of strategic framing and helps change agents:
- understand and anticipate resistance;
- respond with evidence-based, values-aligned messaging;
- frame gender-based violence as a central issue of institutional performance and care;
- align your messaging with stakeholder priorities and institutional goals.
The content integrates approaches from gender equality trainers and professionals, institutional practitioners and researchers. It includes both reframed common arguments and insights into the complexity of communicating about gender-based violence in higher education and research institutions.
