Education
School-related gender-based violence is a global issue with harmful effects on children, families, and communities. This kind of violence, which is fuelled by harmful gender norms and inequality, can be physical, sexual, and psychological and occurs in and around schools.
Violence against women and girls in school settings causes many problems for children and their families, such as school avoidance, underachievement, and dropout. This costs low- and middle-income countries around $17 billion annually. Education systems play a crucial role in preventing school-related gender-based violence and promoting positive outcomes. Schools provide a platform to transform behaviours, challenge norms, and promote healthy and violence-free relations between girls and boys.
Creating safe schools by integrating violence prevention into education
Schools play a crucial role in shaping attitudes and behaviors, making them a key setting for preventing violence. By integrating violence prevention into education, schools can become safe spaces where students openly discuss this issue, learn essential communication skills, and understand why addressing gender-based violence is critical to fostering equality and respect. Including these discussions in the curriculum ensures that students are equipped with knowledge and tools to challenge harmful norms and build healthier relationships.
In addition to curriculum changes, it is vital for countries to implement and enforce laws and regulations that align with global standards on child protection and violence prevention. Regularly tracking and assessing the impact of these strategies can help identify what works and ensure that schools are truly becoming safer spaces for all students.
Creating a safe school environment also involves improving physical infrastructure, such as well-lit premises, secure classrooms, and separate sanitation facilities for boys and girls, to ensure that all students feel comfortable and protected. Beyond infrastructure, fostering safe schools requires active engagement with parents and local communities. Collaborative initiatives, such as parent-teacher workshops, community outreach, and mentoring programs, can strengthen the collective effort to prevent violence and support students' well-being.
Moreover, training educators and school staff to recognize, respond to, and prevent violence is essential. This includes equipping them with the skills to handle disclosures of violence sensitively and to create inclusive, non-judgmental learning environments. Teachers and administrators should also be supported to model respectful behavior and reinforce messages of equality, respect, and accountability in their daily interactions with students.
Integrating violence prevention into education systems is a long-term investment in a safer and more equitable future, empowering young people to break cycles of violence and promote a culture of peace and respect.
