What is Edinburgh College doing for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence?

Have a look at the activities we have planned to deal with gender based violence

Respect is working together to prevent gender based violence.

TW: rape, femicide, gender-based violence

At Edinburgh College, we are working to tackle gender-based violence on a local level during this year’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence. ‘Every 10 minutes partners or family members killed a woman in 2023’. [Source] This statistic may feel far away and irrelevant to many people who aren’t impacted by gender-based violence, however, rape culture is being normalised and actively encouraged by influential misogynists such as Andrew Tate, and this impacts how safe some students feel on our campuses. We need to do something about this.

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international civil society led campaign. It commences on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and ends on 10 December, Human Rights Day, highlighting that violence against women is the most pervasive breach of human rights worldwide. [Source]

Have a watch of this video for more information on this topic.

Our 16 Days of Activism, includes and acknowledges the impact of gender-based violence on gender minorities as well as cis women and our activities are tailored to take this into account.

25th November – 10th December: What's on over all 16 Days of Activism?

Library display of books about GBV on all four campuses.

Souls of our Shoes installation at Granton Campus

GBV e-learning module provided by Rape Crisis Scotland will be made available to staff and students

Let’s Talk About Sexual Violence programme provided by Rape Crisis Scotland will be made available to staff and students

Tuesday 25th November: Zine making workshop for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence – Granton Campus, Library Room S113

Zines are an act of resistance. Zines build community, they provide support, recognition and they are good form for journalling and processing emotions... Plus, making zines can be good for your mental wellbeing.

Join Jen Ouson (AB-Z Collection & Creative Industries Academic Digital Library Liaison) for an informal workshop on zines and zine making where you can explore reading and making these mini publications using simple paper folding, writing, collage, or anything that works for you.

Materials are provided, and a range of GBV and related zines from the AB-Z Collection will be available for reading on the day.

The workshops run from 12-13:30, but you do not need to stay for the whole hour and a half, just come or go when you need to.

Thursday 27th November: Zine making workshop for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence – Sighthill Campus, Library, The Square

Zines are an act of resistance. Zines build community, they provide support, recognition and they are good form for journaling and processing emotions... Plus, making zines can be good for your mental wellbeing.

Join Jen Ouson (AB-Z Collection & Creative Industries Academic Digital Library Liaison) for an informal workshop on zines and zine making where you can explore reading and making these mini publications using simple paper folding, writing, collage, or anything that works for you.

Materials are provided, and a range of GBV and related zines from the AB-Z Collection will be available for reading on the day.

The workshops run from 12-13:30, but you do not need to stay for the whole hour and a half, just come or go when you need to.

Tuesday 2nd December: Origami making while discussing gender-based violence – Granton Campus

This will be a pop-up stall led by Frolix, an Edinburgh-based queer, feminist collective, working to create safe and supportive community for queer people around the city.

Students will have the opportunity to make origami animals whilst accessing information and support on gender-based violence. It will be a chance to connect, share experiences, and learn about GBV, particularly through a queer lens.

Wednesday 3rd December: Origami making while discussing gender-based violence – Midlothian Campus

This will be a pop-up stall led by Frolix, an Edinburgh-based queer, feminist collective, working to create safe and supportive community for queer people around the city.

Friday 5th December: Self-defence class - Krav Maga

As part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence, we have organised a self-defence class where you will learn the basics of Krav Maga with United Krav Maga Edinburgh. This event is aimed at women and gender queer students and will be led by a female instructor.

Monday 8th December: Origami making while discussing gender-based violence – Milton Campus

This will be a pop-up stall led by Frolix, an Edinburgh-based queer, feminist collective, working to create safe and supportive community for queer people around the city.

Tuesday 9th December: Origami making while discussing gender-based violence – Sighthill Campus

This will be a pop-up stall led by Frolix, an Edinburgh-based queer, feminist collective, working to create safe and supportive community for queer people around the city.

Other events we have planned across the 16 days (specific dates and times TBC)

Selection of art on display at Granton relating to the theme of gender-based violence

Yoga session for women and gender queer students

Fit for Girls classes by our Active Campus Coordinator

CAPture publication by our CAP students on the theme of GBV

Wellbeing drop-in activities: crochet and badge-making

Over these 16 Days, we will be providing a list of resources to tackle gender-based violence and improve education around this issue on our campuses. If you would like to be involved in any of this, please contact mary@ecsa.scot