The University of Glasgow has launched a new campaign highlighting ongoing work to improve its approach to Gender-Based Violence.

‘Together Against Gender-Based Violence’ is a university-wide campaign, developed in partnership with the Students’ Representative Council, as well as the student bodies and colleagues from across the institution.

The campaign, launched to coincide with the UN’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, aims to promote an improved approach to tackling Gender-Based Violence by the University, making policies clearer, resources more accessible, and reporting processes more straightforward.

It also strives to educate the University community about different forms of Gender-Based Violence.

The campaign was one of the recommendations of an independent review of the University’s Gender-Based Violence policies and processes, conducted by Morag Ross KC in 2022.

An integral part of the campaign is a powerful art installation by Glasgow-based visual artist Molly Hankinson. The exhibition explores key themes in relation to Gender-Based Violence, including consent, education and allyship.

Molly Hankinson said: “The campaign against Gender-Based Violence was the perfect opportunity for me to create a body of work that was reflective of my own values and create something that was interrogative but celebratory, which is the balance that I like to strike in my own practice.

“I want to spark questions around the themes in the campaign, hopefully in a way that’s strong and assertive. It’s about taking accountability for the past - but also drawing a line and looking forward to the future.”

Professor Sara Carter, UofG’s Gender Equality Champion, Vice Principal and Head of the College of Social Sciences, said: “We are proud to launch our new ‘Together Against Gender-Based Violence’ campaign and share the progress the University has made in tackling Gender-Based Violence since the Morag Ross KC report.

“From improvements in policy and procedures to the fantastic new art exhibition and educational resources, this is the start of a conversation for our community, and we want everyone to be a part of it. The University is committed to further progress and ensuring our community feels respected and safe on our campuses.”

Hailie Pentleton-Owens, Students’ Representative Council President, said: “We endorse and support this campaign, whilst recognising that the University still has a lot of work to do to rebuild trust in its approach to Gender-Based Violence. The SRC will continue to hold the University accountable, ensuring the student voice is heard and support is further improved.”

The art installation, which is open to the general public, is in the University’s James McCune Smith Learning Hub on University Avenue until the end of January 2024.

Related links

First published: 27 November 2023

<< November