Sensitizing and amplifying the voices of girls and women against Gender Based Violence in school milieu.
Apr 27, 2020
Story
Gender-based violence has become a sensitive issue in our communities today. Women and girls continue to face various forms of violations and abuses from men and boys as they go about their daily routine. Gender-based violence here is described as any harmful act that is perpetrated against a person’s will, and that is based on socially ascribed (gender) differences between males and females. This includes acts that inflict physical, sexual, mental harm or suffering, threats of such acts, coercion and other deprivations of liberty which can occur in public or in private. Among the barriers that stop girls from fulfilling their full potential is school-related gender-based violence
Due to entrenched gender inequality, prolonged socio-political conflict within the English speaking regions of Cameroon and increase displacement, GBV is widespread in the North West region of Cameroon. It is but no doubt that women and girls are affected on their way to school, while in school and out of school. According to the United Nations study on violence against children published in 2006, many children educational settings expose them to violence and may teach them violence. Gender-based violence in this context directed to girls is of particular concern as they are most vulnerable. The school environment today is not a safe and supportive place it should be. Instead, the school are marred by gender-based violence, which includes, rape, sexual harassment, bullying, torture and corporal punishment. Every single one of these incidents threatens girls’ right to education. It limits girls’ enrolment in school, undermines their participation and achievements, and increases absenteeism, dropout rates, child or early marriage, crime, poverty and inequality. It increases women and girls’ vulnerability and exposure to sexually transmissible diseases.
For the fact that girls and women do not only faced gender-based violence in Cameroon but all over the world. my association, Community Education For Life (CEFLife) will launch a sensitization campaign on the 1st of April to sensitize and amplify the voices of girls and women against GBV in schools.
We believe that at the end of this campaign, the rate of GVB in schools will reduce, women and girls will feel safe in school, the number of girls attaining school will increase and more women empowered.
The theme of the sensitization Campaign is: Generation equality; advocating for zero GBV in school milieu.
This campaign will run from April to September, on social media and local radio in the North West Region of Cameroon.
Facebook link :https://web.facebook.com/CEFLife1/
Please join us fight gender base violence in school and university campuses, our girls and women need education using the following #tags
Fanka Maurine S,
Coordinator, CEFLife
