The UAB's Equality and Diversity Service participates in the Vives Forum to define the equality agenda in the university
On December 3 and 4, the UAB’s Equality and Diversity Service took part in the Vives Gender Equality Forum, held at the Universitat Jaume I of Castellón, a meeting that brought together representatives of universities, quality agencies and experts to define the priorities of equality policies for the coming years in the university environment.
The meeting, promoted by the Vives Network of Universities, has made it possible to share diagnoses, experiences and proposals in the field of gender equality and diversity, with the aim of setting a shared agenda in teaching, research, academic careers and coexistence on campuses. From the UAB, the Equality and Diversity Service has taken advantage of the space to contrast the work that is already being carried out at the university to detect new lines of collaboration with the rest of the institutions.
The Forum opened with a reflection on the role of language in the construction of equality. Based on the opening speech by Eulàlia Lledó, who specializes in sexism and language, the need to review language uses in universities so that they reflect the real diversity of the community was put on the table. The subsequent debate, moderated by UAB researcher Maria Prats, underlined the value of inclusive language as a tool to transform institutional culture and make traditionally invisible groups visible.
Another of the central lines of work of the meeting was the incorportation of the gender perspective in teaching. Representatives of assessment agencies and teachers involved in the preparation of teaching guides analysed how this perspective should be part of the planning of studies, the selection of content and the definition of quality criteria. At this point, the UABS’s Equality and Diversity Service sees a reinforcement of the work it promotes together with faculties and teaching staff to move towards more equitable and representative teaching.
Research also occupied a prominent space. Under the slogan "towards a better science", different voices insisted that considering the sex/gender system in the design and analysis of research is not only a matter of equity, but also of scientific rigor. The UAB, which has been developing initiatives in this field for years, identifies an opportunity in this area to strengthen support for research teams and doctorates, and to consolidate research that is more sensitive to inequalities.
The second day of the Forum focused on academic careers and the difficulties that women and other underrepresented groups still encounter in advancing on equal terms. Aspects such as access to stable positions, differences in promotion or the impact of work-life balance and co-responsibility on professional careers were analysed. These issues are also the focus of the work of the UAB's Equality and Diversity Service, which is promoting measures to reduce these gaps.
Finally, the Forum devoted an important part to reflection on safety and well-being in universities. Based on the contributions of jurists and experts in equality policies, it was highlighted that it is necessary to go beyond formal protocols against harassment and deploy comprehensive strategies for prevention, detection, care and reparation, both in physical spaces and in digital environments. In this sense, the UAB's Equality and Diversity Service identifies the Forum as a key space for sharing approaches and improving the actions already carried out on campus.
Participation in this meeting, which coincides with the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Vives Network of Universities, has been an opportunity for the UAB's Equality and Diversity Service to consolidate alliances and incorporate shared reflections and proposals into its work plan, with the aim of continuing to move towards a more egalitarian university, diverse and free of violence.