Rethinking Institutional Responses to Gender-Based Violence in Academia as Forms of Care in the Nordic Context

Abstract

This article explores institutional responses to gender-based violence (GBV) in three Nordic higher education institutions (HEIs) through the concept of institutional care processes (Tronto 2013). The care fra-mework provides insights into the challenges and opportunities in HEIs‘ efforts to address GBV. The article presents three detailed case studies conducted in 2022 on the implementation of anti-GBV policies and prac-tices in HEIs in Finland, Iceland, and Sweden. By reframing institutional responses as forms of care, a gap in the care processes was identified. The care work was often driven by „driving-spirits“ but lacked recognition, value, and structures for long-term capacity building. While HEIs fulfill their duty to care by identifying needs and assigning responsibility for meeting them, there was a lack of adequate working conditions in place to ensure sustainable care provision could be done.Keywords: Gender Equality Policy, Higher Education, Sexual Harassment, UniversitySubmitted: 14 April 2023Accepted: 04 April 2024Published: 31 May 2024DOI: https://doi.org/10.17169/ogj.2024.238Research support: The UniSAFE project was funded under EU Horizon 2020, Grant agreement ID 101006261.This article was edited by Sabina García Peter and Käthe von Bose.