The United Nations 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-based Violence runs from the 25 November to 10 December 2025. The University of Glasgow will be observing the 16 Days of Activism to raise awareness of the epidemic of violence against women and girls which affects one in three women globally. 

The theme of the UN’s 2025 campaign “UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls” focuses on one of the fastest-growing forms of abuse. 

Gender-based Violence (GBV) is a specific concern in Higher Education. University campuses can create a unique set of risks, and at the University of Glasgow we know we must play our part to tackle these issues. We are committed to working together with the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) and external agencies to ensure our campuses are a safe and inclusive place for every member of our community.  

We have made important changes since the Morag Ross KC Report in 2022 set out a number of recommendations to improve our processes and policies to meet this growing challenge. 

We have taken forward all recommendations from the Ross Report. A significant step has been funding and support to combat GBV including additional GBV counselling resource and the introduction of a Safeguarding Team to support our student community. The Safeguarding team works across the University to ensure a professional and consistent response to disclosures and requests for support. 

We have also established links with external agencies including Police Scotland, Woman’s Aid and ASSIST. And we are committed to exploring opportunities to forge stronger connections with the EmilyTest and other Higher Education Institutions through the EmilyTest Network.  

Our ongoing campaign, ‘Together Against Gender Based Violence’, was co-created with university colleagues and the Students' Representative Council (SRC) and based on lived experiences within our community. This has helped raise awareness about different forms of GBV and how our community can access support and resources. 

The ‘Together Against GBV' campaign includes a powerful art installation by Molly Hankinson which was exhibited across all our Scottish campuses and posters and postcards which highlight issues such as misogyny and affirmative consent. These postcards were in all new student welcome packs at the start of this academic year. 

The goals of the ongoing campaign are to raise the importance of colleagues and students working together to end Gender-based Violence, signpost support and resources, and demonstrate a strong commitment that we will continue to work together to end GBV on our campuses. 

The SRC and other student bodies have organised a programme of events during the 16 Days. These include protest placard workshops, Fight for the Night March and a vigil. I encourage you to get involved in these events and show your support to end Violence Against Women and Girls. 

As the University’s Gender Equality Champion and a member of the University’s Senior Management Group, I give you my promise that I will keep working to create a better, safer and more supportive and inclusive university where everyone can feel safe and respected on our campuses.  

First published: 24 November 2025

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