ABOUT THE PROJECT

Project Introduction

The “Prevention of violence against women/girls so as to build safe-spaces for women in educational universities in Viet Nam” project is funded by the British Council with the goal of raising awareness about gender equality and preventing gender-based violence in university environments. The project focuses on assessing students’ knowledge of gender-related issues, forms of violence (psychological, physical, and sexual violence), and the safety levels of female students, staff, and lecturers at educational universities. Additionally, it examines the inclusion of gender equality and violence prevention in university curricula while gathering insights and recommendations from stakeholders to create a safer and more equitable academic and work environment for women.

Context

Violence against women and girls is a global issue that occurs across all aspects of life, including education. It encompasses various forms of abuse, such as domestic violence, sexual assault, harassment, forced marriage, and female genital mutilation (FGM). Female university students face significant risks of experiencing or witnessing physical violence, sexual assault, and harassment. Studies from countries like the US, Australia, Bangladesh, Spain, and Egypt highlight alarming rates of violence against female students (UN Women, 2018).

Globally, one in three women reports experiencing physical or sexual violence from a partner at least once (WHO et al., 2013). In the UK, 9% of women over 16 have faced domestic violence, while in Vietnam, 18% of women aged 20-24 have experienced sexual violence since age 15 (ONS, 2023; GSO, 2019). UK and Vietnamese partners emphasize that making universities safe spaces for women is key to eliminating gender-based violence, focusing on institutional support, accessible services, and prevention strategies (UN Women, 2018).

Objectives and Impact of the Project

This project goes beyond research; it aims to drive meaningful change. By gathering data from students, lecturers, and female staff, the project identifies critical issues that need urgent intervention. The findings will help shape policies, educational programs, and support mechanisms tailored to the specific needs of women in universities. Additionally, the project seeks to foster open discussions on gender equality, encouraging universities to take a more active role in protecting their members from gender-based violence.

Moreover, this initiative contributes to enhancing the quality of higher education by reviewing the existing curriculum on gender equality and violence prevention. Through these insights, universities can revise and improve their teaching materials, ensuring that students are well-informed about their rights and equipped with the critical thinking skills needed to address gender-related issues in education.

Creating safe spaces for women in universities is not just about ensuring their safety - it is about fostering a progressive, fair, and compassionate academic environment that benefits everyone.

The University of Northampton is a leading institution in the UK in social innovation and gender equality. As the first Ashoka U Changemaker Campus in England, it has a strong commitment to driving global social change. With extensive experience in research and education, the university focuses on advancing women's roles in higher education and workplace environments.

This project will draw on the expertise of the Institute for Social Innovation (ISII) at Northampton, led by Professor Richard Hazenberg, Dr. Ecem Karlidag-Dennis, Dr. Claire Paterson-Young along with Dr. Emel Thomas – leading experts in women's empowerment, conflict research, and educational collaboration with Vietnam. The ISII team has previously worked in Vietnam through British Council-funded projects supporting disadvantaged youth and ethnic minority groups.

University of Northampton also has a dedicated Access and Participation Plan that promotes female representation in higher education and supports graduate employability through Changemaker Hub and Enterprise Club. Its Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy ensures gender equality among staff and students, alongside workshops encouraging female students in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics).

As part of the “Prevention of Violence Against Women and Girls to Build Safe Spaces for Women in Educational Universities in Vietnam” project, the University of Northampton will:
- Deliver gender equality training workshops for lecturers and students.
- Develop a gender equality curriculum tailored for pre-service teachers in Vietnam.
- Design and establish safe spaces within educational institutions to prevent gender-based violence.

This project aligns closely with Northampton’s strategic goals, reinforcing its leadership in international collaboration and social innovation.

The University of Salford is a leading institution in the UK, strongly committed to addressing gender inequality and gender-based violence. The university has extensive expertise in coercive control and domestic abuse, particularly through its MSc Psychology of Coercive Control – the first and only master's program of its kind, designed and led by Dr. Rod Dubrow-Marshall and Dr. Linda Dubrow-Marshall.

This unique program focuses on the psychological mechanisms of coercive control, particularly in domestic abuse and gender-based violence. Delivered via distance learning, it attracts a large number of international students, allowing faculty to incorporate global perspectives into the curriculum. Additionally, Dr. Rod Dubrow-Marshall has extensive experience in international partnerships, particularly in Southeast Asia, positioning Salford as a strong partner for this project.

The University of Salford also runs specialized domestic violence training programs, including a summer training course for counselors supporting survivors of domestic abuse. The university operates a specialist counseling clinic, providing direct support to survivors and serving as a training ground for clinical psychologists and counselors. Along with MSc. Nichola Heaton, Dr. Rod and Dr. Linda Dubrow-Marshall are prominent researchers in coercive control, domestic violence, and patriarchal power structures, with multiple publications on these topics.

As part of the “Prevention of Violence Against Women and Girls to Build Safe Spaces for Women in Educational Universities in Vietnam” project, the University of Salford will contribute to key activities such as:
- Developing a gender-sensitive curriculum for UK and Vietnamese universities.
- Delivering training workshops for pedagogical higher education lecturers and leadership teams.
- Establishing a Social Impact Measurement Framework (SIMF) to assess project effectiveness.
- Conducting policy analysis and making recommendations for gender equality improvements.
- Ensuring project longevity by embedding sustainable practices.
- Disseminating research findings and sharing knowledge to increase awareness of gender equality issues.

The University of Salford provides a strong research environment that will enable this project to flourish, with dedicated infrastructure for grant management, impact measurement, and engagement activities. The project aligns with Salford’s strategic objectives to expand its expertise in gender inequality research and international collaboration.

Through this partnership with the University of Northampton, Hanoi National University of Education, and other associate partners, Salford aims to strengthen its contributions to the field of coercive control research and global efforts to combat gender-based violence.

Hanoi National University of Education (HNUE) is one of Vietnam’s leading institutions in teacher education, pedagogical research, and gender equality. Committed to gender equality, gender-based violence prevention, and safe learning environments, HNUE plays a vital role in shaping educational policies and training future educators.

The project will be led by the Research Team from the Faculty of Psychology – Education, including Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyễn Đức Sơn, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lê Minh Nguyệt, Dr. Bùi Thị Thu Huyền, and PhD candidate Trần Anh Khôi, alongside Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyễn Thúy Hồng, an expert in education and gender equality.

HNUE has extensive experience in developing training curricula on gender equality, collaborating with Plan International Vietnam, UN Women Vietnam, and the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) to implement gender-based violence prevention programs. The university has participated in the “Safe Campus” initiative, delivered training on the "Connect with Respect Toolkit", and engaged in the RESPECT program led by UN Women, WHO, and UNFPA to enhance gender-based violence prevention capacity.

Leveraging its expertise, Hanoi National University of Education will contribute to the "Prevention of Violence Against Women and Girls to Build Safe Spaces for Women in Educational Universities in Vietnam" project through:

- Developing gender-sensitive training curricula for universities.

- Conducting research on gender-based violence and faculty and student awareness.

- Delivering training workshops to build capacity in violence prevention.

- Collaborating with international partners to enhance gender education initiatives.

This project aligns with HNUE’s strategic goals, strengthening its impact in gender education, teacher training, and international collaboration. HNUE looks forward to working closely with the University of Northampton, University of Salford, and other key partners to create a safer, more equitable higher education environment in Vietnam.

WELCOME TO THE PROJECT

PARTNER INSTITUTIONS

Prevention of violence against women/girls so as to build safe-spaces for women in educational universities in Viet Nam

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