A groundbreaking initiative has reached more than 27,000 young people across Scotland, equipping them with vital knowledge to recognise and combat gender-based violence.
The remarkable achievement comes from 45 grassroots organisations working tirelessly over six months to deliver educational sessions on consent, gender equality, and abuse awareness.
These findings emerge from the latest Delivering Equally Safe impact report by Inspiring Scotland, which demonstrates a significant uptick in youth engagement with these critical social issues.
The announcement coincides with the launch of the global 16 Days of Activism campaign, drawing attention to the ongoing fight against gender-based violence in communities throughout Britain.
Equalities Minister Kaukab Stewart marked this milestone with a visit to Monklands Women’s Aid in Airdrie, where she witnessed firsthand the transformative work being undertaken to protect and support vulnerable individuals.
“Creating a society where women and girls can live safely requires persistent effort in prevention,” Stewart emphasised, highlighting the programme’s success in reaching tens of thousands of young people through educational workshops.
The impact extends beyond mere numbers, with nearly 17,000 children and young people receiving direct support through frontline services in the past two years.
Monklands Women’s Aid stands as a beacon of hope in this nationwide effort, with Chairperson Christine Buckel noting their organisation’s crucial role in community support.
“Our integrated approach ensures women, children, and young people receive tailored support when they need it most,” Buckel explained, emphasising their commitment to letting survivors’ voices shape their services.
The programme’s success is further evidenced by Monklands Women’s Aid’s remarkable achievement in supporting 1,571 individuals since October 2021, demonstrating the vital importance of sustained funding for domestic abuse interventions.
This comprehensive approach to tackling gender-based violence represents a significant step forward in Scotland’s commitment to creating safer communities for all residents, while setting a benchmark for similar initiatives across Britain.
