ACFODE Partners with Secondary Schools in bid to combat GBV

Teachers are central in the lives of school children. To a large extent, they are their custodians since they spend a bigger part of the day with them. On average, Ugandan children spend almost 16 years attending school. As such, teachers have a lot of influence on the lives of these children and thus need the knowledge and skills to be able to exert the right influence.

Consequently, in order to enhance the capacity of teachers to understand the concept of human rights and to equip them with skills for identifying and dealing with gender based violence (GBV), in the month of July ACFODE carried out pre-visits in the districts ofKaabong, Kotido, Moroto, katakwi, Kanungu and Mubende to identify secondary schools that would be trained and partnered with in bid to combat GBV and also advance reproductive health. The activity, which sought to assess the knowledge base of participants (students, teachers and school leadership) on GBV was part of the 7th GOU/UNFPA Country Program under the Gender Component that seeks to increase access to quality GBV management services.

Pic 1. Students during a group-work session on GBV. Pic 2. Some of the students making a presentation on their understanding of GBV

Towards the conclusion of the assessment exercise, the adjustment in the way participants discussed GBV illustrated the fact they now possessed an understanding of the different forms of GBV in schools and in their communities, what their causes and effects were, and the role they would play in combating them.

One of the most outstanding training was the one carried out in Karamoja region in the districts of Kaabong, Kotido, Moroto, and katakwi. It was described as the most "interesting and yet despondent task" ever undertaken by the ACFODE team that travelled there because apparently, the region is infamous for its bad roads.

All in all, this activity was worthwhile despite the Karamoja experience as it added a lot of value towards ACFODE's fight for gender equality. Participants' awareness levels on issues to do with GBV were enhanced and we are positive that they will pass on the acquired knowledge and also use it to create the desired change in schools, and in their local communities.

Sandra Nassali

Public Relations & Communications Officer

Action For Development

snassali@acfode.org

Photo Credit: Andrew Ssekirevu