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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n1) Gender-based violence is a cause and consequence of women\u2019s inequality. The prevalence of misogynistic attitudes and behaviours in our society enable a context where gender-based violence is possible. Ultimately gender-based violence is about power and control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2) 51% of EIS branches in 2023 reported that boys were more likely to exhibit violent and aggressive behaviours towards women teachers than men teachers. Almost 40% of branches stated that prejudice-based violence had increased between 2019 and 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3) In 2025, 68% of girls between 11-21 in a UK survey reported having changed their everyday behaviour to avoid sexual harassment, with 1 in 10 girls having missed school to avoid sexual harassment. (Girl\u2019s Attitudes Survey 2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4) Domestic abuse is a gender equality issue as the vast majority of those experiencing domestic abuse are women and the vast majority of those perpetrating domestic abuse, are men. Domestic abuse is never okay, whoever you are. (Scottish Women\u2019s Aid)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5) Recent research has found that men and masculinity influencers are increasingly gaining a mainstream following, with nearly two-thirds of young men aged 16-25 in UK watching this content online (Movember, 2025).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6) Statistics show that 1 in 3 women worldwide have experienced either physical and\/or sexual violence in their lifetime. Most of this violence is perpetrated by an intimate partner. (Rape Crisis Scotland)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
7) The Scottish Crime and Justice Survey (2019) found than 0.8% of men and 6.2% of women in Scotland have experienced at least one type of serious sexual assault since the age of 16.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
8) In 2025, disabled girls, neurodivergent girls and LGBT+ girls reported being more likely to have received comments that make them feel scared for their safety. Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic girls reported being less likely to share photos of their face online, or go outside when it\u2019s dark, due to safety concerns (Girl\u2019s Attitudes Survey 2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
9) Boys and men are also negatively impacted by gender stereotypes and gender-based pressures, for example to be strong, successful and heterosexual. Such pressures can adversely impact mental health and wellbeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
10) According to a briefing by Education Scotland and Scottish Women\u2019s Aid, at least one child in every class will have experience of domestic abuse. This can have an impact on attendance and on the ability to focus on learning in class. Support provided must be approached with sensitivity and care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6 Actions you can take now<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Organise in your local association \/ branch to mark 16 days of activism and raise the profile of anti-GBV work, for example through committing to sign up to Equally Safe at School<\/a> (for Secondary settings)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n- Watch four short videos<\/a> with experts on GBV, considering how educators can make a difference,<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n- Teach about activism to end domestic abuse \u2013 for example using the \u2018Speaking Out Learning Resource<\/a>\u2019, which explores the history of the Women\u2019s Aid movement and how activism led to the development of a service to support women, children and young people, experiencing domestic abuse, and to huge changes in how society and the law now view and understand domestic abuse.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n- Negotiate for your establishment to adopt the recommendations contained within the Scottish Government Whole School Framework<\/a> on Preventing and Responding to Gender Based Violence and consider how this can be taken forward to support the health and safety of members, for example through implementing Equally Safe at School, a whole school approach that enables schools to continually build and reinforce messages that challenge violence and promote gender equality.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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- Watch four short videos<\/a> with experts on GBV, considering how educators can make a difference,<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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- Teach about activism to end domestic abuse \u2013 for example using the \u2018Speaking Out Learning Resource<\/a>\u2019, which explores the history of the Women\u2019s Aid movement and how activism led to the development of a service to support women, children and young people, experiencing domestic abuse, and to huge changes in how society and the law now view and understand domestic abuse.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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- Negotiate for your establishment to adopt the recommendations contained within the Scottish Government Whole School Framework<\/a> on Preventing and Responding to Gender Based Violence and consider how this can be taken forward to support the health and safety of members, for example through implementing Equally Safe at School, a whole school approach that enables schools to continually build and reinforce messages that challenge violence and promote gender equality.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Teach about activism to end domestic abuse \u2013 for example using the \u2018Speaking Out Learning Resource<\/a>\u2019, which explores the history of the Women\u2019s Aid movement and how activism led to the development of a service to support women, children and young people, experiencing domestic abuse, and to huge changes in how society and the law now view and understand domestic abuse.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n