ACFODE with support from EIRENE and BMZ conducted
trainings on Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) in 21 schools in Kirundo
and Nyarusiza Sub-Counties of Kisoro district from 18th to 21st
June 2013. The trainings, which were attended by 42 selected primary school
teachers and two nursing officers from Kisoro District Hospital, aimed to equip
the crucial gate keepers of societal change with skills in prevention and
handling of cases of SGBV. From Senior Women and Men teachers and patrons of
school clubs like music, dance and drama or debate to medical attendants, the
interactive sessions reached varied target groups with resourceful information
on sexual violence, basic child counselling skills and peer education
programmes.
 |
| Teachers from one of the participating schools formulating action plans to handle SGBV |
Participants benefitted from group discussions,
through which various roadblocks to erasing SGBV in schools were identified,
such as; sexual favours in reward for marks from teachers, parental negligence,
poverty, adolescence, and ignorance. The teachers, who alleged that the high
school dropout rates were majorly caused by sexual violence, also learned how
to offer psychological support to survivors of sexual violence acts who suffer
the brunt of STDs, early pregnancies, teasing, name calling from peers and
community members, among others.
In an effort to strengthen the cohesiveness of the
project, the participants were introduced to the Community Facilitators of
ACFODE's Combating all forms of Defilement, Rape and Sexual Harassment
(CODERASH) committees in the area. These committees comprised of community
members that were trained by ACFODE on prevention and handling of SGBV cases
have been critical in sustaining the project impact at local levels through
awareness creation and the strengthening of referral pathways in the fight
against SGBV. The committees' efforts were appreciated through the awarding of
t-shirts and badges, and they were encouraged to mentor and support the
training participants in the effective implementation of their school advocacy activities.
As a result of the training sessions, the participants
were able to develop action plans, which included initiatives such as;
establishing and/or strengthening the efficiency of school disciplinary
committees, creating help desks to facilitate the reporting of violence cases, utilization
of official occasions such as school assemblies and PTA meetings to sensitize
teachers, students and parents about SGBV and introduction of peer to peer
education programmes, among others.
Compiled by:
Nancy Nandudu
Public Relations and
Communication Officer
Action For Development
No comments:
Post a Comment