Teaching about gender violence, with and for gender justice: epistemological, pedagogical and ethical dilemmas

This paper reflects on teaching a postgraduate degree which aims to support students to understand and challenge gender violence and contribute to gender justice. It explores three dilemmas: (i) epistemological – how to create a curriculum which embraces diverse knowledges and decentres perspectives which can produce violence; (ii) pedagogical – how to create a learning space which generates intersectional gender justice; (iii) ethical – how to engage with violence suffered by others – and selves – without propagating further harm. Exploring how the author navigates these dilemmas, the paper argues that teaching this degree entails more than developing students’ theoretical knowledge and critical analysis skills. It requires providing opportunities for students to contribute to the degree and supporting them to build skills in self-reflection, empathetic communication and collective witnessing. It means making space for students to work through precarious moments and process their own encounters with gender injustice and violence.