On Monday, 28 April 2025, two dedicated training sessions were held at Matej Bel University as part of the BRRIDGE Horizon Europe project. The sessions, led by Dr. Magdaléna Musilová from Comenius University, focused on the topic “How to Recognize and Respond to Gender-Based Violence and Sexual Harassment in Academia: Understanding, Prevention, and Support Options.”

The first training was designed for doctoral students and addressed both the academic and social challenges they may encounter. Participants were guided in identifying situations of gender-based violence and sexual harassment within academic environments. The session emphasized the importance of understanding the forms such violence can take and its broader impacts. A key element was the concept of bystander intervention — equipping participants with practical strategies to safely and effectively respond when witnessing inappropriate behavior.

The second session was tailored for members of the Gender Equality Committee at Matej Bel University. It offered a deeper understanding of gender-based violence and sexual harassment and introduced targeted tools and strategies for institutional prevention and response. Special focus was placed on how committee members can model and support active bystander interventions to create a more respectful and safe academic culture.

These trainings provided both expert knowledge and practical guidance, significantly contributing to the university’s ongoing efforts to strengthen gender equality and safety in academic spaces, in line with the goals of the BRRIDGE project.