Campaign for zero tolerance to gender-based violence

On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on 25 November and the 16 days of activism that follow, the GenderSAFE and GENDERACTIONplus projects are launching a joint campaign to urge higher education and research institutions to take definitive action against gender-based violence.

We urge our institutions to take definitive action against gender-based violence.

Real change begins with commitment. That is why, in this campaign, we will bring attention to the critical need for advancing zero tolerance, providing concrete recommendations, and spotlighting institutions who have already committed to take action by taking the pledge for a zero-tolerance approach.

Why is a zero-tolerance approach important?

Nearly 62% of respondents in the UniSAFE survey reported experiences of gender-based violence, but 93% students and 77% staff disclosed not considering the behaviour serious enough to report, not recognising the behaviour as violence at the time of the incident, or not thinking that anything would happen if they reported it. Despite institutional advances, policies against gender-based violence generally lack effectiveness, are poorly designed and implemented, and rarely monitored and evaluated (Huck et al. 2022; Pilinkaite Sotirovic & Blazyte 2022; Linková et al. 2023; Ranea-Triviño et al. 2022).

A zero-tolerance approach to gender-based violence ensures institutions take clear, decisive steps to prevent violence, support victims, and build trust in their policies, setting the foundation for effective prevention, support, and cultural change.

Join us in advocating for zero tolerance and accountability against gender-based violence in academia. Together, we can build a culture that supports every voice and fosters genuine equality!

Join the campaign!

We are encouraging all individuals, related initiatives, EU-funded projects, organisations, to promote a zero tolerance approach to gender-based violence during these 16 days of activism. We have a set of visual cards that you can freely copy, edit with your own logo, and publish along with your own message. Engage with us on LinkedIn on the GenderSAFE and GENDERACTIONplus channels, as we share further information, news, concrete recommendations, and testimonials about adopting a zero-tolerance approach. Finally, if you have already taken the pledge for a zero-tolerance approach as an organisation, we’d love to share your story on why you have pledged and what actions you have planned!