Kering Foundation launches Research Program on the intersection of violence against women and children

The Kering Foundation, in partnership with McGill University and the Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI), is launching an innovative research program to tackle the often-overlooked links between violence against women and violence against children – a critical global issue with deep social impact.

This multi-year initiative will strengthen evidence-based, locally led research to understand how violence against women and children intersects and to identify effective solutions through programs, services, and interventions.

McGill will enhance the training of doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows by providing them with advanced, hands-on research experience across complementary projects. Their training will include exposure to systematic reviews of evidence-based practices and social policies addressing the prevention of family violence and child maltreatment, as well as active involvement in international research initiatives that elevate the voices of children, caregivers, and professionals regarding the realization and enforcement of children’s rights in out-of-home care settings in both Canada and France.

SVRI will build the evidence base on the intersections of violence against women (VAW) and violence against children (VAC) by supporting early-career researchers in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) through doctoral and postdoctoral fellowships as well as capacity strengthening. It will also promote partnerships between key stakeholders to advance the field and influence change.

With both partners, the Kering Foundation Research Program will include joint events, webinars, workshops, and advocacy efforts to disseminate findings, influence policy, and promote cross-sector dialogue, ensuring research translates into meaningful action. By investing in the next generation of researchers as well as fostering global collaboration, the Kering Foundation wishes to contribute to strengthening research at the intersection of gender-based violence and violence against children. The Program aims to bridge the gap between research and programming, to bolster the ecosystem of anti-violence actors working to end violence against women and children.

“Over the past 17 years, we have seen how combining efforts can yield effective and lasting results in the fight against women and children. I am therefore delighted to launch this new research programme with two leading experts in this field who have extensive experience not only in fundamental research, but also in disseminating and promoting community-based solutions to violence.” François-Henri Pinault, Chairman of the Kering Foundation

“We are profoundly grateful to the Kering Foundation for its vision and commitment to improving the lives of children and families. Their support enables us not only to train the next generation of scholars, but to do so in a way that is deeply grounded in the lived realities of those most affected by violence and rights violations. By creating space for rigorous inquiry, international collaboration, and meaningful engagement with children, caregivers, and frontline professionals, this investment empowers emerging researchers to produce knowledge that can truly transform policy and practice” Delphine Collin-Vezina, Full Professor and Director of the Centre for Research on Children and Families, McGill University

“SVRI is driving a shift toward evidence-based responses to violence against women and violence against children. Scaling this work requires sustained investment, especially in research that is locally led and grounded in lived experience. With the generous support of the Kering Foundation, we are proud to launch early career research fellowships for scholars in low- and middle-income countries, nurturing a new generation of leaders with deep local insight and commitment to ending violence in their communities.” Elizabeth Dartnall, SVRI Executive Director

About Kering Foundation
 

Established in 2008, the Kering Foundation envisions a world free from violence for women and children, in which they can live safely and thrive. It supports local organizations that provide comprehensive services to victims of violence, as well as prevention initiatives. It engages Kering’s ecosystem to create safe and supportive workplaces for survivors and takes action to influence and mobilize additional resources to help end violence across generations. To maximize its impact, the Kering Foundation works closely with a select group of partners across six countries: France, Italy, Korea, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Over the past 15 years, the Kering Foundation has supported one million women survivors and partnered with more than 100 nonprofit organizations.
Keringfoundation.org
Instagram and LinkedIn: @KeringFoundation
 

About McGill University
 

Founded in Montreal, Quebec, in 1821, McGill University is Canada’s top ranked medical doctoral university. McGill is consistently ranked as one of the top universities, not only nationally, but internationally. It is a world-renowned institution of higher learning with 12 faculties, 14 professional schools, 700 programs of study, over 40,000 students, including more than 10,000 graduate students, and research activities spanning three campuses. McGill attracts students from nearly 150 countries around the world, its 11,000 international students making up 27% of the student body. Over half of McGill students claim a first language other
than English, including approximately 20% of our students who say French is their mother tongue.
 

About SVRI

The SVRI is one of the largest global networks for advancing research on violence against women, violence against children, and other forms of violence driven by gender inequality. Founded in 2003, the SVRI brings together a diverse group of actors aiming to achieve a world free of violence against women and violence against children through improved practices and prevention programs informed by evidence, with a focus on low and middle-income countries. SVRI does this through four pillars of work: building evidence, strengthening research capacity, promoting partnerships and influencing change.

Press Contacts

Kering Foundation
Elsa Fontanille | +33 (0)6 70 27 76 67 | elsa.fontanille@kering.com

McGill
Aurélie Boucher | aurelie.boucher@mcgill.ca

SVRI
Clara Roig | +34 (0)6 78 05 10 57 | clara@svri.org