Zero Tolerance | Views

Creating a Violence-Free Future: My Journey as a Campaigns and Engagement Officer at Zero Tolerance

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 10:19:00 +0100

Former Campaigns and Engagement Officer for Zero Tolerance, Joanna Zawadzka, reflects on her time at Zero Tolerance.

For the past seven years as Campaigns and Engagement Officer at Zero Tolerance, I’ve had the privilege of working to prevent men’s violence against women and girls. Through partnerships with organisations, media, activists and artists across Scotland, we’ve tackled this violence at its root cause - gender inequality. From 2017 to 2024, my role has involved developing and delivering impactful campaigns that raised awareness and inspired action, while building lasting relationships with stakeholders across Scotland who share our vision of Scotland free from men’s violence against women and girls. As I prepare for my next chapter, I want to reflect on this meaningful work and the progress we’ve made together.

Amplifying Migrant Women’s Voices: Our Partnership with Migrant Women Press

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 09:32:00 +0000

This 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, we partnered with Migrant Women Press to bring to light stories that are too often overlooked in mainstream media - the experiences of migrant and ethnically diverse women facing men’s violence.

We need to change how we talk about men’s violence against women and girls

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 10:26:00 +0000

In recent decades the women’s sector has done a lot of work to increase women’s knowledge and understanding of the violence they experience at the hands of men. Responding to women in crisis, women organised and set up centres to support women, give refuge, and offer guidance through the justice system. Women studied gender, power dynamics, and men’s violence against women, got degrees, and trained as advocates and support workers. They gathered in marches for equality, campaigned for changes in law, and demanded government funding.

The five core elements of incel ideology

Tue, 03 Dec 2024 11:15:00 +0000

Content warning: This blog discusses the views of men who hate women which can be offensive, upsetting, and rage inducing.

Why we can’t afford to dismiss incels as fringe extremists

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 10:59:00 +0000

The manosphere and the toxic beliefs it promotes has a daily influence over young people — creating an environment that perpetuates misogyny, making schools and social spaces less safe and more hostile for girls.

Why do young men become incels?

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 09:01:00 +0000

The alarming rise of the “incel” (involuntary celibate) community has sparked significant concern. Incels are one part of ‘the manosphere’, a network of misogynistic, anti-feminist, and often extreme subcultures. But what draws young men into these toxic online spaces?

Girls have the right to learn about consensual sex and healthy relationships, including disabled girls

Fri, 11 Oct 2024 09:31:00 +0100

Access to inclusive and comprehensive sex and relationships education is a fundamental right for all children and young people, as stated by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Relationships, Sexual Health, and Parenthood (RSHP) education plays a critical role in preventing abuse by providing young people with essential knowledge about consent, healthy relationships, and bodily autonomy.

What actually works to end gender-based violence

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 10:58:00 +0000

The answer to ending men’s violence against women is ‘Primary Prevention’, which works to end this violence before it starts, so no woman or girl experiences it ever.

Nursery staff’s biggest challenge

Tue, 14 Nov 2023 14:27:00 +0000

What we learned at #BuildingBlocks23 — Children in Scotland’s Early Years Conference

There was a buzz at Children in Scotland’s national early years conference, #BuildingBlocks23, but attendees made it clear that the early years sector faces significant challenges.

It’s the International Day of the Girl but girls’ rights are falling through the cracks in Scotland

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 13:51:00 +0100

Inside look: the role of our Policy and Practice Officer: Children and Young People

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 08:51:00 +0100

A short interview with our policy and practice officer about her work at Zero Tolerance.

Sexist jokes and domestic abuse, it’s a continuum

Wed, 02 Aug 2023 15:36:00 +0100

The news fills with reports of a man violently attacking, raping, and murdering a woman. Our criminal justice system tries him, he gets charged. We talk about how awful it was that this happened.

What is men's violence against women and girls?

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 16:51:00 +0100

"It's hardly rape."

Tue, 04 Jul 2023 12:26:00 +0100

Why responsible reporting matters when it comes to commercial sexual exploitation

Tue, 20 Jun 2023 10:19:00 +0100

Guest blog: by the Women’s Support Project

The lives and experiences of women involved in commercial sexual exploitation are as diverse and complex as their individual circumstances. Yet, when it comes to the mainstream media, there is a lack of nuance in how this issue is presented.

Sexual harassment at school, it’s #AboutTime things changed

Site administrator — Wed, 22 Feb 2023 10:18:00 +0000

“We’re facing a national crisis of sexual violence and harassment at school. The government and schools must take action now” - EVAW

Blog Post: We Are Not Clickbait: Journalist's responsibility in reporting violence against ethnic minority women

Tue, 05 Jul 2022 09:30:00 +0100

Blog Post: How to report on violence against ethnic minority women responsibly

Tue, 24 May 2022 13:43:00 +0100

Blog: What about a boys' night in?

Site administrator — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 12:44:00 +0000

*Blog refers to experience of spiking*