Taking measures against gender-based violence

Gender-based violence is an issue that is present throughout society, and research organisations are no exception. But as with many gender-related issues, there is insufficient data collection and as a result often insufficient action. And there is a pressing need to act.

MINDtheGEPs partners are acting against gender-based violence by raising awareness about gender-based violence and sexual harassment among leadership in their organisations, ensuring there are sufficient support structures in place for victims and witnesses, and committing to stopping this behaviour.
Our Gender Equality Plans help outline what partner organisations are doing to fight gender-based violence and sexual harassment.

In MINDtheGEPs, the individual actions were designed in close cooperation with governing bodies and mechanisms within partner organisations. Because we are convinced that leadership level commitment is required to take effective action against gender-based violence.

Acting against gender-based violence

Enforcing legal & policy frameworks

Implementing codes of conduct for the prevention and fighting against harassment
Adopting Rulebooks on Prohibition of Gender-based Violence and Sexual Harassment
Strengthening legislative mechanisms to combat Gender-based Violence and Sexual Harassment
Making sure that time spent in courts, police departments, and assistance service for victims of gendered violence is considered paid leave

Promoting awareness through training

Sensitising and informing staff about gender-based violence and including information about it in staff onboarding processes
Educating staff on how to recognise and respond to gender-based violence and sexual harassment
Improving faculty’s skills and knowledge to prevent and effectively deal with cases of gender-based violence and sexual harassment
Hosting workshops to provide staff with skills and knowledge to prevent, recognise, and effectively deal with cases of gender-based violence and sexual harassment
Organising meetings/training sessions/webinars on basic issues, such as...
- Creating a work environment where everyone is treated with the same degree of respect and fairness
- Counteracting unequal treatment and harassment
- Counteracting gender discrimination and sexual harassment

Providing support & counseling services

Appointing a Confidential Counsellor, who is the person institutionally in charge of providing free information, counselling, and assistance to members of the university community (employees, students) who experienced discrimination
Setting up a Listening Space: a psychological consultation service that aims to improve the quality of life within the University
Setting up anti-violence desk and collaborating with local anti-violence centres to offer free services to women dealing with gender-based violence, providing a protected place for discussions and considerations.

Creating an inclusive work environment

Creating an inclusive work environment for the LGBTQIA+ staff by...
- Respecting and training local staff on regulation about chosen names
- Extending parental leave to staff members who are looking to adopt a child
- Regulation for the activation and implementation of Alias Careers to ensure students in gender transition can live in a peaceful study environment.

Strengthening reporting & intervention mechanisms

Continuing to promote an online anonymous reporting tool to disclose incidents of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, discrimination, hate crime, coercive behavior/control, stalking, assault, sexual harassment, sexual assault, and rape

Contact person

Federica Turco

Federica Turco successfully completed a PhD in Semiotics at University of Turin, where she currently teaches Semiotics of Gender. Her research focuses on women’s representation across contemporary media, semiotics of body and culture, cultural models, and stereotypes. She is responsible for Communication and Research at the Research Centre for Women’s and Gender Studies at the University of Turin, where she has managed many research projects funded within different EU framework programmes (e.g. FP7, Erasmus +, REC, H2020), all related to gender issues. She also manages national and local training projects. Federica Turco is the MINDtheGEPs Project Manager and, in particular, she contributes to the general management of the project and the supervision of ethical aspects.

Contact: federica.turco[at]unito.it

Explore key areas

Balancing career progression

Supporting skills development and breaking stereotypes, towards work-life balance for men and women.

Gendering research content

By including gender perspectives in research, teaching, evaluation & peer-review.

Improving work-life balance

Providing comprehensive support for career advancement while managing personal responsibilities like caregiving.

Empowering decision-making

To increase female researchers' participation in the decisions that affect them.

Our approach

We promote gender equality on structural and cultural level of research organisations by fixing the system, not the women. Examining gender imbalances, designing gender equality plans for sustainable change, and monitoring and evaluating the progress we make.

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