• University of Strathclyde

Understanding Violence Against Women: Myths and Realities

Learn how to challenge attitudes that lead to violence against women and develop your knowledge of this human rights issue.

13,682 enrolled on this course

Image of women marching for women's rights
  • Duration

    6 weeks
  • Weekly study

    2 hours

Be part of a movement to end violence against women

The United Nations considers violence against women to be a grave violation of human rights of epidemic proportions.

Such violence has profoundly negative consequences for individuals, communities and entire societies. This is why preventing violence against women is a priority issue for governments and societies around the world.

On this course you will learn about the roots of violence against women, the principles of gender inequality at its centre and most importantly, how to challenge entrenched attitudes that impact women.

Join the movement to end violence against women today.

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Skip to 1 minute and 38 seconds On this course, you will learn how to challenge the values and attitudes which underpin violence against women and human rights abuses that women face every day simply because they are women.

What topics will you cover?

  • Key concepts – Gender, Power and Violence
  • Defining and explaining Violence Against Women
  • Impact of Violence Against Women from a range of perspectives
  • Media and Cultural representations of Violence Against Women
  • Public and Professional responses to Violence Against Women
  • Preventing Violence Against Women – national and international approaches

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • A deeper understanding of the origins and concepts of Violence Against Women in private and public life as currently defined
  • A developed awareness of the nature and extent of Violence Against Women in private and public life
  • A critical approach to societal views, attitudes and responses to Violence Against Women
  • An informed understanding of the impact of Violence Against Women on individuals, families and communities
  • An awareness of examples of good practice and strategies for preventing Violence Against Women

Who is the course for?

This course is for anyone interested in challenging and preventing violence against women, you don’t need any prior experience of the topic.

Who will you learn with?

I'm a teaching fellow at Strathclyde University and also a registered social worker.

Who developed the course?

University of Strathclyde

The University of Strathclyde is a leading international technological university located in Glasgow, Scotland’s biggest city, committed to useful learning.

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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