Colleges across Wales are working together to tackle misogyny and promote respectful relationships between learners. In May 2024, ColegauCymru was awarded Taith funding to address concerns raised by Estyn on peer-on-peer sexual harassment among 16 to 18-year-old learners. The project has established of an international Community of Practice (CoP) with a focus on preventing and tackling misogyny.
ColegauCymru has partnered with Colleges and Institutes Canada, to set up the CoP which consists of staff from five FE colleges in Wales, and five colleges and universities in Canada.
The CoP meets online regularly, sharing ideas, expertise and resources. Additionally, guest speakers attend meetings to share best practice and expertise in this area of work.
Outward visit to Canada
In April 2025, eight participants from Wales took part in a six-day visit to Montreal, Canada. The purpose of the visit was: strengthening relationships within the CoP; exploring and sharing expertise and best practice; networking with colleagues; and reflecting on learnings and their application in Wales.
One of the CoP’s key learnings from the visit to Montreal was the importance of recognising misogyny through the lens of young people themselves. In response, actions were developed to engage young men and boys in conversations about
respectful relationships, while also considering how best to support them in building critical thinking skills when navigating potentially harmful online content.
Engaging Male Learners
The work of the CoP has led to partnerships with two key organisations. The globally recognised anti-violence movement She Is Not Your Rehab are New Zealand-based advocates, authors, and communicators committed to eradicating family violence by inspiring a new generation of cycle breakers. Our Voice Our Journey emerged from a collaboration between Plan International UK and She Is Not Your Rehab. Working in partnership with these organisations, ColegauCymru has facilitated two regional events focused on tackling misogyny and promoting respectful relationships. Held in both South and North Wales, the events featured powerful talks by Matt Brown for male learners, followed by afternoon planning sessions led by Anne-Marie Lawrence. With online input from the Canadian members of the CoP, the events provided an opportunity for staff and learners to explore practical and innovative solutions to urgent challenges such as misogyny, peer-on-peer abuse, and harmful attitudes and behaviours.
Further Activities
- Five participants from Canada visited Wales in October 2025, including college visits to Coleg Cambria, Coleg y Cymoedd, and Cardiff and Vale College.
- Welsh and Canadian CoP members contributing to an Understanding and tackling misogyny in FE - Learnings from Canada workshop at the ColegauCymru Annual Conference.
- Recommendations from the two regional events shared during the workshop with delegates, and how, as a sector, we can take this work forward.
A visit to Wales by the Canadian CoP members was one of the project’s final activities. This coincides with the ColegauCymru Annual Conference and the CoP leading a workshop to share the project outcomes and next steps.
Through bold collaboration and learner-led action, the FE sector in Wales is making meaningful strides to challenge misogyny and foster a culture of respect - empowering learners and staff to lead change and shape a future where every voice is valued and respectful relationships are the norm.
CoP Members
|
Wales Alice Churm (She/Her), Coleg Cambria |
Canada Keith Campbell (He/Him), Assiniboine College |
Resources
Coleg y Cymoedd have a range of resources available to supporting the work of Tackling Misogyny and Promoting Respectful Relationships.
Further Information
Taith is the Welsh Government International Learning Exchange Programme.
Colleges and Institutes Canada is the national and international voice of Canada’s largest post-secondary education network.
Estyn Report
Peer-on-peer sexual harassment among 16 to 18-year-old learners in further education
June 2023
Siân Holleran, ColegauCymru International Project Manager
Sian.Holleran@ColegauCymru.ac.uk
Amy Williams, ColegauCymru Policy Officer
Amy.Williams@ColegauCymru.ac.uk
