School Related Gender Based Violence
School Related Gender Based Violence is a Major Hindrance to achieving Quality Education for all and Girls Empowerment in particular. This is often in the form of threats of sexual, physical or psychological violence occurring in and around schools, perpetrated as a result of social norms and gender stereotypes, and enforced by unequal power dynamics.
\r\nSRGBV can have serious detrimental effects on children’s health and well-being and their ability to learn to their full potential. It negatively impacts school participation, learning levels and completion rates and raises barriers to gender equality in education and wider society.
\r\nFunded by the ‪#AlumniInnovationEngagementFund‬, HOFNA and 5 International Exchange Alumni Justice Mme Kimbeng Glory (IVLP), @Zoneziwoh M. Wondieh (2014 MWF), Violet Fokum (2014 MWF), Patience Agwenjang (2015 MWF) and Chritelle Bay C (2014 MWF) Engaged on Training PEER Educators (Students), Teachers and Community Leaders (Counselors) from Different Communities in the North West Region of Cameroon on School Related Gender Based Violence Prevention.
\r\n“When a teacher sends a girl to leave his exercise books or his bag in his office or his house and the teacher follows her and starts making a proposal for sex, and because she is afraid to answer ‘no’ to her teacher, she says “Sir, I will answer you tomorrow”. Because of Fear, the girl stops coming to school and ends up not completing her education…” – Beri, student in Nkambe
\r\n‘I am thinking of leaving school because of beatings and because they insult me and my family. The teacher beats me with sticks and my hands have been injured…’ – Young boy, Nkambe
\r\n“As teachers, parents or community members, we should never say that we decided to rape a girl or our student or make advances towards her because she was poorly dressed. No, this is unheard of. Let us teach our children good moral values but at the same time let us learn to control our ego and selfish desires. It all starts in our minds, let us be responsible in our minds/thoughts and teach others too to be…” Teacher Counselor, Nkambe
\r\nThe Alumni Team and HOFNA will work together to horn skills of young people to use creative arts – Drama, songs and spoken word to raise awareness on and put an end to SRGBV as well as set up a Gender Violence Survival Support Network to work with the PEER Educators and Counselors to continue to respond to and prevent SRGBV in the said communities. Follow us for updates. ‪#LetGirlsLearn‬ ‪#SafeSchools4ALL‬ ‪#SafeCommunities2LiveIn‬
\r\nMore Pictures on Facebook.