Journey to tackle gender-based violence must start in schools – Yousaf

Scotland’s First Minister has said he hopes a new framework to help schools tackle gender-based violence will empower young people to be the “generation that eradicates misogyny”.

The new Scottish Government framework has been developed in collaboration with Rape Crisis Scotland and Zero Tolerance, and features testimony from young people and school staff.

First Minister Humza Yousaf said that change must happen at all levels of society and that “crucially that journey must begin in our schools”.

He and Scotland’s Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth will launch the new framework on Monday.

It’s time to raise the level of the conversation in our society

It has been designed to support schools to tackle gender-based violence, which refers to behaviours ranging from name calling, intimidation and physical violence to sexual harassment and emotional abuse.

Speaking ahead of the launch, Mr Yousaf said: “Our Behaviour in Scottish Schools Research, published in November 2023, identified a rise in misogyny as a worrying emerging trend within our schools.

“School staff pointed to an increase in sexist and misogynistic behaviour among male pupils, particularly related to negative male role models online.