College Joins Global Effort to Tackle Gender Violence in Brazil

City of Glasgow College is proud to be part of an inspiring international project tackling gender-based violence in higher education, working in collaboration with Instituto Federal do Ceará (IFCE) in Brazil and supported by the British Council.

The year-long initiative, Prevention of Gender Violence: Safe Space for All in HE (Brazil), is part of the British Council’s Partnerships programme. It’s focused on creating safer, more inclusive college and university campuses — starting with IFCE’s 33 campuses across the state of Ceará.

This collaborative project brings together students, staff, and experts from both the UK and Brazil to share knowledge, raise awareness, and develop practical ways to prevent gender violence and support those affected by it. The work is especially urgent in Brazil, which sadly ranks second in the world for violence against women and first for murders of trans people.

Lecturers Lee-Ann Clulow, Angela Kershaw, and Douglas Alexander from our Global Skills team are leading the charge for the College. They’re helping to deliver training, support staff and students, and build a strong framework for education, intervention, and reporting in Brazilian colleges.

Earlier last month, Lee-Ann and Angela travelled to Fortaleza, Brazil, where they joined students and staff for a packed programme of roadshows, workshops, and awareness events. They also helped launch engaging campus campaigns and clear signage showing where to get help and how to report any concerns.

The project is all about making support easy to access and helping people feel confident to speak up. It focuses on empowering students to understand what healthy relationships look like and how to spot early warning signs of coercive or controlling behaviour. At the same time, it helps staff feel more confident responding to disclosures, supporting survivors, and challenging inappropriate behaviour in a trauma-informed way. By encouraging openness, accountability, and care across campuses, the project is working to build a culture where prevention and support become a visible, everyday part of college life.

The initiative is built on a four-part approach: research and diagnostics; creation and delivery of learning materials; exchange visits like the one to Brazil; and ongoing monitoring and evaluation. A big emphasis is placed on visibility, with discreet toilet signage, pop-up stands and campus-wide messaging ensuring everyone knows where to turn for help.

Inclusion is at the heart of the programme. It recognises that gender violence affects people differently, especially those from marginalised communities — including people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ students, and particularly trans individuals. By understanding these overlapping risks, the project aims to create spaces where every student feels seen, supported, and safe.

Lee-Ann Clulow, Global Skills lecturer emphasised:

“Being part of this project has been incredibly powerful. The openness and commitment shown by students and staff in Brazil to challenge gender-based violence and support each other was inspiring. It’s a privilege to contribute to creating safe, inclusive spaces where everyone can thrive.”