Teacher Advocacy Is A Key To Creating A Safe Learning Environment for All
The SRGBV initiative had helped me to find my voice again. This learning space helped me and other teachers to reject acts that seek to dehumanize me or others. I hope that as I continue to advocate against SRGBV I will activate many more activists to find their voices. I believe that when the voices of activists come together the vicious cycle of SRGBV will be broken and schools will be free from SRGBV.
The Power of Words in Fighting SRGBV
He walked in with a cane and with just that gesture, the class fell silent. His presence was not only intimidating but also somewhat unsettling. The way he looked at us through his glasses, one felt as if he could see right through your soul and know exactly what you were thinking about him. He seemed to like the fact that we all seemed scared of him.
The death of a class monitor
Peter was a class monitor. He was a very intelligent boy who always came first in his class. He was always punctual and dressed neatly in his grey school uniform which was always clean, as compared to children of his age who always soiled their uniforms with earth.
The story of an SRGBV Victim, Perpetrator and Change Agent…
We shared our experiences as 25 branch women representatives from the Rift Valley Region. Women shared examples of abusive language, sexual abuse and discrimination among other forms of SRGBV. This moment marked my turning point in starting to look back and reflect on how I had been treating learners in school. I discovered that I had unconsciously been a perpetrator of SRGBV.
The Death Sentence of Being a Girl Child
One sudden day, while together on the bed, my wife said to me that it’s now time to circumcise our girls. I was so shocked to hear her utter such words. I told her never to utter those words again. Then she started to cry and make all kinds of noise. I just couldn’t sleep because I wasn’t expecting it from her, but I was ready for the challenge.
Strong will
A female teacher was born and raised in Addis Ababa. She attended primary and secondary schools in Addis Ababa. She completed both her high school and University education with high scores. And because of her excellent achievements in the University, she was hired as a graduate assistant in one of the new Universities located 300 Km away from Addis Ababa. Her story begins here.
Action against SRGBV
The reason I am writing this story is to increase awareness of the complexity of SRGBV. My other reason is to let others know that it is possible to measure violence and take strategic action corresponding to the level of violence noticed/identified.
A Marriage Not Made in Heaven
Together with Government, our union is currently reviewing the teachers’ Code of Conduct, so as to include in it contemporary emerging issues, including SRGBV. Our union’s Gender Policy is also being looked into.
From Grass To Grace
One finding from the study which touched my heart was the nonexistence of a reliable support system in some schools for girls who were menstruating.
School Related Gender Based Violence – Taking Action
One finding from the study which touched my heart was the nonexistence of a reliable support system in some schools for girls who were menstruating.